The art of writing is similar to the art of War

Writing and war are two quite distinct and separate disciplines. One has no relation with the other. One is associated with the pen while the other deals with the sword. It is, therefore, paradoxical to make an attempt to compare them. But surprisingly enough there is much that is common to both the art of writing and the art of war.

Whatever the subject, theme, or topic of writing, there must be an objective. Similarly every war must have an objective to be achieved. It may be said that an objective is basic to writing as well as to war. All efforts and attempts is a writing or in war are directed towards achieving the objective, that is common to all activities and operations connected therewith. Failure to achieve the objective would set at naught whether it be a writing or a war. An objective, is therefore, a common factor to both the art for writing and art of war.

Another common factor between the two is planning. So far as the art of writing a drama or a novel is concerned, planning includes the plot, characters, situations suspense and correlation between them. The writer has to select a theme, topic or plot. He has to create characters and assign them roles in keeping with the theme or the plot. He has to create such situation as are required to suit the development of the plot and make them effective. The element of suspense is an essential characteristic of a good story, novel or drama. A great amount of skill and dexterity is called for to handle this element is a successful manner. A writer has to plan a proper balance and correlation between all these factors.

With reference to the art of war as well, planning is necessary. In this context planning covers a wide range of activities, such as provision of war materials, selection of suitable personnel for execution or operation, proper and effective coordination between various wings of the fighting forces, a well considered strategy of operation, scope for tactical withdrawals to suit the situation. What is most important in the art of war is selection and provision of suitable armament, needed for the proposed operation. The next step is to pick up suitably competent men for the execution of operations. Even the most effective armament would be of no use if the persons in charge of the operations are incompetent. Different wings of the fighting forces must function under a unified command for achieving the objective. Relatively more important is the overall strategy of operation conceived by the general. It is equally important to provide for tactical withdrawals to suit the situations. All these function are almost identical both to a general planning for a military campaign and a writer planning for a composition.

Honesty is Hindrance to worldly success

Honesty is the best policy is a very well known saying. In ancient India we had a highly valued tradition of honesty. Indian spiritualism played an important role in inculcating this virtue among the people. This dictum gradually attained at the status of a religious sanction. For a very long period of our history we find that honesty continued to be the main feature of Indian social life. A number of examples may be quoted to show that people cherished the idealism of honesty and they sacrificed every thing for it. For them it was the most valuable jam of character. no worldly gains could lure them to forsake their dear ideals. Indian tradition of religion and spiritualism believed that real happiness comes from leading a pure, simple, truthful and honest life. The worldly pleasures, according to it, are false and temporary. They may satisfy one's body and mind but not the soul, the real being.

But things have undergone a sea change. This dictum is no longer regarded as a valuable asset in life. Worldly wise people consider it as a useless and dead corpse. Even the staunchest followers of honesty have deviated from this path. The causes are evident. Gone are the days of religion, spiritualism, honesty and God. We live in an age of materialism, and perhaps, materialism lives in us. The economic stress and strain has increased our materialistic demands. Everybody is after ease, comfort, luxury and enjoyment in life. There is often a gap left which everybody wants to fill by all means legal or illegal and moral or immoral. The lure of materialism has developed a deep sense of attachment to worldly gains, achievements and success.

Men and Women Merely Players

These lines occur in Shakespeare's drama As you like it. the idea seems familiar to the people of India, for our saints and sages, too compared this world to a stage. Some have compared human life to a dream and called the whole creation an illusion. It offers a simple interpretation of life. It consoles those who have suffered great misfortunes and calamities for no fault of their own. It says that this vast world is just like the stage of a drama and all human beings are like actors. Human life is compared to the role of an actor in the drama. All men and women are born in this world to play a predetermined role during their lives, before leaving the world.

The parts that men have to play on the stage of this world are varied colorful and changing. When born as infants all of us are looked after and cared for by the mother or a nurse. A little later we grow into school going children and perform our role in that capacity. in adolescence we play the role of a lover. in the youth of life we act like soldiers, jealously guarding our honour and earning reputation. Then in declining youth and in old age we become unable to play the role of bravery. During this period our limbs and senses grow weak and we lose interest in worldly things. In this way, each of us plays many parts on the stage of this world.

The expression all the world is a stage means that the world is like a stage, where all of us are like actors. The changes that occur in this world are likely the scenes that change on the stage. The world stage is as colourful as our lives. The stage belongs to the actors, only so long as they play their part on the stage. In the same manner this world belongs to us, only so long as we are alive and perform our roles. The world is impersonal like the stage. As the setting on the stage changes according to the requirement of the role to be enacted thereon, situations in the world go on changing to suit the roles we are made to play. Actors may come and actors may go, but the stage goes on for ever. This is the relation of man to the world.

Charity Begins at Home

It is an old saying which holds good in every sphere of life. It means that a person's first duty is to help the members of his own family. Any act of goodness can be in the right direction only if it spreads goodness all around, but a good act must be started from one's own environment. Everybody should do good to his family members first. Charity to others at the cost of starvation at home cannot be appreciated. If a man ignores his family members and does good to others, he is most likely to the an object of ridicule. The family members are the first charge on one's resources. If somebody is in a position to do some good or to extend some help assistance monetary or otherwise to others, he must see to it that the members of his family are not left in deprivation. It is only after the needs of the members of the family are full met, the help and assistance may be distributed among others. Here, too, there is comparative priority relations, friends, community circle and so on and so forth.

If we take the case of social reform, a man should first try to introduce reform in his own family. instead, if without reforming his own family, he tries to reform others, people will not listen to him. He would rather end up in failure. It does not carry any weight if a chain smoker advises others to give up smoking while he himself does not give up the same. It is better that if one presents his own example?. Philanthropists donate money to educational institutions, hospitals and orphanages. but before doing so, they must try to satisfy the needs of their family, relatives, friends and community. A doctor must attend to the health problems of his own family members before extending medical advice or assistance to others.

Sweet are the Uses of Adversity great Notes

This statement occurs in Shakespeare's well known play "As you like it." The Duke, who at one time lived a life of pomp and show, full of luxury, was banished to the forest, where he tested the thorns of adversity which had its own blessings. Adversity mean unfavorable circumstances and difficulties. The statement signifies the fact that adverse conditions make one learn many things. They test one's ability and courage. One's virtues find full scope for development and expression under hostile circumstances. It is not the case and comfort that brings out the best in a man but rather the roughness and suffering that ennoble him.

History is full of examples of such persons, who started with scratch and roe to eminence. Seemingly unsurmountable difficulties plagued them in the course of their career, but they faced them bravely and ultimately refused to be dominated by them. misfortune is blessing in disguise. It tests a man and brings about the best in him. Suffering is the best teacher. The bitter experience of life teach us many lessons. They are our best guides. They unmask our eyes and we can distinguish between the real and unreal. They make us mature. They inculcate in us the quality of adjustments and sense of proportion. they expand the store of our knowledge and experience and thrash our the corn from the chaff.
Fortitude is the virtue of adversity, say Bacon. It means that man should fight bravely against all sorts of unfavorable circumstance which militate against him. He should not tamely accept the dictates of compulsion of the circumstance.

It locks as though Fate constantly conspires against men. Waves of misfortune keep us continuously engaged in the struggle against them. It is not that Nature is sadist but in her own mysterious way she places obstacles in our way to test our courage, patience and character. Adversity is an opportunity to keep us awake, active, alert ready to cope with any situation but arises. Such an opportunity should be welcomed because it tests one's mettle and provides a chance to reap a rich harvest of experiences. It should be considered an occasion to impart a valuable training. Thus adversity is never a cruse, but a blessing in disguise.

Where There is a Will There is a Way

Where there is a will, there is way, is a well known saying. It means that everything is possible in the world, provided one has the necessary will power and determination to do it. In other words nothing is impossible in this world provided it is backed by a strong will, constant efforts and unshakable faith.

Man is different from other living beings. His desires are innumerable and ever increasing. He undertakes a number of activities in order to satisfy his desires. But in our practical life we see that all our desires are not fulfilled. One proper analysis we would discover that most of our unfulfilled desires were just wishes. A close examination will reveal that we did not make sustained efforts to fulfill those wishes. There is no reason why one should not succeed if one works with full determination for achieving one's cherished objective. It is said that God helps those who help themselves.

Let us understand that 'Will' does not mean a 'Wish'. We wish so many things. But when it comes to giving practical shape to our wishes, we find lack of determination and will power. A wish can be described as a will only if it is supported by strong determination and will power. Will is a strong desire. It is backed by firmness of purpose and resolution. Means are not so important in the fulfillment of strong desire. What  is relevant and of basic value is the unflinching determination to reach the goal or achieve the objective.  Fulfillment of will presupposes hurdles and also sacrifices to tide them over or face them undaunted. Without such firm resolution and unshakable determination to achieve the objective and also the preparedness to suffer and make sacrifices, the will remains a simple desire or wish.

Time and Tide Wait For No Man

This is a very simple, clear and self explanatory proverb. it means that time and tide do no not wait for nay body. Time goes on passing without caring for anybody and anything. Similarly tides occur, they have no regard or consideration for anybody. time symbolize valuable opportunity. They occur without any notice. The essence of the proverb is that opportunities do not wait for anyone. No one can command or foretell their occurrence or recurrence. one should be alert and cautious because they occur without any notice. They are generally short-lived and pass quickly. No one can say whether or when they would come again. So, one should be fully prepared to make the best use of an opportunity as and when it presents itself. 

Time and tide are natural phenomena. Like other agents of nature, they too have no consideration and regard for any individual. Man cannot change their course. They are beyond the control of human hands. Man finds himself helpless before them. In ancient times there were no steamships. There were huge boats equipped with sails. They were called ships. Their launching in the sea was a difficult affair, which depended on the tide. The sailors had to wait for weeks and sometimes for moths, because their ships could not sail without the help of a tide, As soon as the tide came, they sailed their ships away with it. If they missed the chance, they had to wait for the next tide about which there could be no certainty. A tide never waits for any sailor. It is for the sailors to wait and take advantage of the tide when it comes. If they fail they suffer.

this proverb is a lesson to all of us. It lays emphasis on the desirability of our preparedness to make the best use of an opportunity that presents itself to us. we should, therefore, remain vigilant, because even the slightest carelessness on our part may result in missing a great opportunity in life resulting in colossal loss. It also implies that opportunities are rare. No one can create them. They come of their own. Those who are ready, are able to take advantage of them, but lazy people let them slip.