I noticed a middle-aged gentleman on a swanky bike, quietly waiting at a signal for the light to turn green. He had stopped perfectly behind the zebra crossing. My heart swelled with respect for him, and I enthusiastically waved.
You might wonder why I attached so much importance to such an ordinary gesture. It is because everyday, I see road hogs speeding through city roads with scant regard for traffic rules. Bikers and scooterists often act as though rules are meant only for four-wheelers, treating a traffic signal as the absolute last thing they need to obey. Under these circumstances, this gentleman emerged as a true hero!
This brings me to a question: what do law-abiding citizens actually get for obeying the rules? They likely reach their destinations later than the road hogs, consume more fuel while waiting at lights, and earn the wrath of aggressive drivers blocked behind them who want to jump the signal.
If we expand this to other intangible virtues—honesty, punctuality, discipline, and environmental concern—what does imbibing them give a person? Tangibly, perhaps nothing. A rule-following driver is not automatically the most expert driver; an honest and sincere professional may not be deemed the most valuable corporate resource; and a disciplined soldier might not be the bravest in battle.
However, these old-world virtues definitely make one a better human being, a law-abiding citizen, and a helpful neighbour. Ultimately, they grant something far more valuable: a deep, heartfelt satisfaction from knowing that you, at least, tried to do the right thing.
Arvind Arya blog 