The unknown geniuses

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 seeds?

Who invented the art of writing?

Who made alphabets and words?

Who made the first sheet of paper?

Who has discovered the match stick?

Who planted the first garden?

Who was the first painter or the first musician?

We do not even know there 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 great extent by our anonymous benefactors. In later ages millions profited very greatly from there pioneer work and exceptional men similarly profiting from the work of our anonymous geniuses 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. Milton says that he thirst for fame is the infirmity of the noble minds. It is only a half truth. Great work, good work, useful work has been done and is being done even today without publicity or without the desire for fame. Fame or no fame, let each of us do our best to relieve hardship and suffering and to bring about improvement and progress in life. Goodness and usefulness are greater 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. 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.

Amarkant.

Inspired by : A short essay book by Firaq Jaipuri, I used to be a big fan of this book in my school days.