How To Judge A Man

The true worth of a (wo)man is not how much he has accomplished when things are going in his favor, when fortune is smiling on him.

His true worth is revealed when in stress, how he stands up against his enemy, elements and nature and fights. A lion roars most when hurt on his chest. And then who can stand up against him? There is a Swahili saying - When the Lion roars, who dares to play? ( “Angurumapo Simba, mcheza ni nani?” )

Nature doesn’t deal everyone an even hand. In my life I have seen people from different walks of life in different countries. I have found people are same everywhere - same emotions, same reaction pattern and same ethos and passion, even though it sometimes appears different as they are colored by society and culture. And yet everytime, everywhere a man stands up against nature, against his surroundings, against all odds; we find very similar set of qualities in them. So how do you judge a man?

Do not attempt to judge him by his position or power or money he made. Do not judge him by his looks or how he speaks. All of the above can be very deceptive and are never a true indicator of a man.

A man should be judged by his integrity and his inner strength. Everyone can be honest when he doesn’t have an opportunity to be dishonest. Can he still be honest when he has strong incentive to be dishonest? Can he put everything in line to do what he believes in, to save and protect? Can he sustain his pace against all odds?

Do not make the mistake of judging quickly. If you cannot judge in a short time then so be it. Lot of important things in life takes time to accomplish. Proper judgement of character takes time too.

I will end with a wonderful poem from king and saint Bhatrihari:

Let the wisest discredit you or shower you with praises,
Let your be showered with riches or you be poorest of the poor,
Let your death be today or at the end of the millennium,
Always follow the just way and do not slow your pace.

(rough translation from Sanskrit by me)