The Unknown Geniuses
Who was the founder of algebra? Who did invent the decimal system? Who made the first wheel in the world? Who baked the first brick? Who made the first plough? Who first of all extracted oil from oilseeds? Who invented the art of writing? Who made alphabets and words? Who made the first sheet of paper? Who planted the first garden? Who made the metal utensil or china cup? Who made the first handloom or the first spinning wheel? Who was the first painter or the first musician?
We do not even know their names. Similarly, we do not know the names of numerous other persons who have rendered valuable services to mankind in various ways. They are our anonymous geniuses. Social life and civilization have been built up to a very great extent by our anonymous benefactors. In later ages millions profited greatly from their pioneer work and exceptional men similarly profiting from the work of our anonymous benefactors, geniuses and won name and fame. Thus even famous people owe a debt or deep gratitude to these anonymous people.
It follows that great servants of humanity are not necessarily well known or famous men. Great work, good work, useful work has been done and is being done even today without publicity or without the desire for fame. Such work is its own reward. The desire to be famous is not healthy desire. Fame or no fame, let each of us do our best to relive hardship and suffering and to bring about improvement and progress in life. Goodness and usefulness are great things and more real things than fame. To be famous and well-known is not the purpose of life,
Fame is often unreal and short-lived. It has it day and ceases to be. Also, fame is not always and not necessarily a test o merit. One should be proud to belong to the common run of men and to be humble and serviceable. This is the lesson we are to learn from the lives of thousands of our anonymous benefactors.
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