One who changes with time is not a man. Again, one who does
not change with time is not a man.
To start with the first one, a person whose attitude and
perspective changes with changing situation is certainly not a man of honour. For instance, if with sudden change in one’s
life he or she becomes arrogant, selfish and starts behaving differently; then,
the person would not be held with high esteem. Such change can be anything, an
upliftment, a failure, a loss or success. If a man succumbs to a particular situation
and allows the circumstances to rule his/her nature and mode of living, the character
would certainly not be admirable. Hence, this section of the debate says - come
what may, the basic soul, the innate qualities of a man should not change.
The second side of the debate says, if we don’t change with
the changing circumstances we cannot be considered as a man. We’d rather be
programmed robots or any such non-thinking, non-living object with practically
no brains to adapt. Now, this contradicts the first thought, where
changing is rather unscrupulous. But if we don’t change, we aren't growing and
if we aren't growing we are not living.
Speaking for the motion, it might be at times necessary to
change or adapt oneself according to the scenario but then, in the process we
just happen to lose something in ourselves which was good and noteworthy. Whereas
on the other side they say, “we might lose something good, but we may gain
something even better”.
Having considered all the thoughts bumping into my brain cells,
I can conclude in the Shakespearean way as he once said “people don’t change;
only their costumes do”. What I mean to
say is with changing time and circumstances, the basic characteristics should
be retained while the peripheral qualities might be adapted and modified to
suite the demand of the situation.
Might be a bit out of the context but this reminds me of my
school Principal, Mrs. Kak, who would always tell us that there is a kid in us
and come what may , growing age or changing life, we should always let the toddler
in us alive. For according to her, only kids can live and enjoy life and the
day the child dies we shall not be living but just be ageing.