Be the Good You Expect

Marcus Aurelius wrote in his book Meditations, “Instead of discussing what a good man should be like, be a good man.” This is a beautiful line and forces us to look within ourselves.

Every person can give a speech about what qualities a good person should have—such as goodness, kindness, honesty, and a helpful nature—but we rarely ask ourselves whether we possess these qualities or whether we only give speeches to others without implementing our words in our own lives.

It is a paradox of life that the goodness we expect from others is something we rarely try to cultivate within ourselves. For example, we often desire that the world support us and help us fulfill our dreams, but put your hand on your heart and ask yourself—how many people have you helped at your own level? We expect polite behavior from our boss, but do we ever speak politely to those who are below us in position or wealth? Do we treat our own family members—especially our parents—with the respect and patience we seek from the world, or do we take them for granted?

Now, applying this same idea to public discourse, we spend most of our time criticizing politicians, professors, judges, and police officers. If you feel that something is not right and you have many suggestions, why not work hard and strive to set an example?

Abraham Lincoln did not merely criticize the American government over slavery; instead, he entered politics and, by abolishing slavery, demonstrated how a good politician can change a nation.

B. R. Ambedkar did not merely criticize untouchability; he fought relentlessly to secure dignity for millions of Dalits.

Savitribai Phule and Jyotirao Phule not only advocated for girls’ education but also demonstrated it by opening India’s first school for girls, understanding that change comes through action, not merely criticism.

My great teachers, Dr. Shazia and Dr. Anushree, are prime examples of this. They do not just preach good values; they themselves are wonderful professors who want their students to reach their desired goals and help them in every way they can.

All these examples point to a single truth: we should not wait for others to become better. The change we wish to see in the world must begin with us. Even small actions, when guided by sincerity, have the power to create meaningful impact.

Remember this : The world does not change when we describe what is right—it changes when we choose to live it.