In plain words
They lead lives that keep to no standard. A standard is nowhere to be seen. So at this time we must surely nourish human values. But these human qualities too must be free of selfishness. We must not scramble for name and fame. We must make our offering for the heart's contentment.
The Prema that is in man is very sacred. This Prema is not something borrowed or lent. It is something we offer up. So, taking all acquaintance with books to be learning, we are being sorely deceived. First of all we must nourish the human qualities that are in us. We must carry out our duty. Whatever troubles come, whatever obstacles come, there must not be the slightest lapse in our duty. Whatever calling each one has given himself to and chosen, only when he carries out that calling properly does he become a man. We who are in the calling of teachers today must not only tell ourselves whether we are carrying out our duty well or not, whether we are teaching so that the children understand or not, whether we are leading them on the right path or not; we must show it in our conduct too. When our own conduct is crooked, where is our authority to set others right? We scramble only to fill our bellies; we cannot become people who toil for the children's growth or for human values. However much we fill it, this belly never stays full. Do not beasts, birds and animals fill their bellies too? That is not all. Some children of today ask questions too. ‘Swami! Why are there so many rules and restrictions for man? Why should man not be free? Beasts, birds and animals roam freely. Why should man not be free?’ It is true: birds move about in great freedom. Beasts roam freely in their own place, in the forest. You too may be free, but you must recognise one thing. What freedom do birds enjoy? What freedom do beasts enjoy? They enjoy the freedom of beasts. Being a man, enjoy the freedom of a man. Born a man, if you enjoy a beast's freedom, is that Dharma? Born a man, you hope to roam freely like the beasts. You are nothing but a beast, not a man. A man in form. A beast in behaviour. We may call such a one a man in form, but he can never be a man joined with the Ātma.