634. Success of Falsehood

A university professor was requested to preside over the marriage of a school clerk's son, popularly known as writer. The Chief of Justice of Pondicherry consented to be the chief guest of the occasion. The professor tried his best to dissuade this clerk, a distant relation and slenderly known to him. The father of the groom was persuasive and ultimately prevailed. The function was held in the biggest choultry of the district. The hall was overflowing with guests, all the VIPs of the town. Every face known to everyone in that district town was there. Each participated with earnest enthusiasm. The professor exclaimed, "This is no ordinary function. No one I know can celebrate a marriage like this. This passes my comprehension." The father of this clerk was President of the Panchayat in his own taluk headquarters. His grandfather was the richest landlord of the taluk and was the Chairman of the then Taluk Board. He was from a distinguished lineage.

The clerk's manners were sweet and pleasant. Anyone who met him for more than one hour was a friend forever. His soft, suave manners won him friends all over. He would borrow endlessly from all, but would not return the money. No one would ever ask for the money back. He was kind, helpful, sociable and agreeable. In his own office, he would never be at his desk. Nor did he know his work. He was a gambler and would drink if drink was available. Nothing out of his mouth would be true, or even bear a semblance of truth. For a clerk, his life was eminently successful. He was popular in the extreme. At any private or public function, he would be there without fail actively engaged by all the VIPs in attendance. Rarely would anyone speak ill of him.

Our society is NOT based on Truth. There is a substantial element of untruth in our social foundations. It is there in our own subconscious. Therefore, the general public will be more at home with a person of falsehood than with one who is idealistic and truthful. As usual, idealists look down upon others. Their truth gives them a pride that unconsciously hurts others. False people, especially when they are pleasant and readily helpful, are welcome to the public. The public at large can easily identify with a pleasant helpful man disregarding his shortcomings, more than with an angular man of pride who is truthful. As long as falsehood is at a pleasant distance, it is attractive. Only when one's own interests are affected do the true colours come out. It is rare, as in Nehru, for idealistic Truth to be blended with spiritual softness.