“The East reveres Buddha, the West reveres Christ. Both taught love as the secret of wisdom."

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“The East reveres Buddha, the West reveres Christ. Both taught love as the secret of wisdom. The earthly life of Christ was contemporary with that of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, who spent his life in cruelty and disgusting debauchery and perversion. Tiberius had pomp and power; in his day millions trembled at his nod. But he is forgotten. 

Those who live nobly, even if in their day they live obscurely, need not fear that they will have lived in vain. Something radiates from their lives, some light that shows the way to their friends, their neighbours perhaps to long future ages. I find many people nowadays oppressed with a sense of impotence, with the feeling that in the vastness of modern societies there is nothing of importance that the individual can do. This is a mistake. 

The individual, if he is filled with love of mankind, with breadth of vision, with courage and with endurance, can do a great deal. Every one of us can enlarge our mind, release our imagination, and spread wide our affection and benevolence. And it is those who do this whom ultimately humankind reveres.“ 

— Bertrand Russell, The New York Times (3 September 1950)

Image: Bertrand Russell, 1954. National Portrait Gallery.

The wisdom of Bertrand Russell reminds us that the essence of human greatness does not lie in power or fame, but in the quiet, enduring force of love and compassion. In a world that often celebrates material success, there is an even greater need to cherish the inner strength that comes from living a life of purpose, where the well-being of others is at the heart of one's actions. The lives of those who embody love, courage, and kindness may not always shine brightly in the moment, but their impact ripples through time, touching the hearts of those around them and leaving a legacy that cannot be erased.

History has shown us that those who wield power through cruelty and oppression, like Tiberius, fade from memory, while the legacy of those who spread love and wisdom, like Christ and Buddha, grows ever stronger with time. It is not wealth or status that determines our worth, but the love we extend to others and the compassion we show in our everyday lives.

In our contemporary world, many feel insignificant in the face of vast societal structures, questioning whether their actions can truly make a difference. But the truth is that every individual, no matter how small they may feel, holds the power to shape the future. Through acts of love, a broadening of the mind, and an openness to the needs of others, each person can contribute to the light that guides humanity forward. It is in these quiet acts of goodness, performed without expectation of reward, that true greatness lies. Ultimately, it is those who live with love in their hearts, who expand their vision beyond themselves, who will be remembered and revered by future generations.

Venkataramanan Ramasethu

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