Leo Tolstoy “Three Questions”

　　The king in the story quests for the answer to three questions: 1. What was the right time for every action? 2. Who are the most necessary people? 3. What is the most important thing to do? 　　Though he asks the questions of many “wise” men, their opinions varies. Finally the king asks a hermit. He says, “Now is the most important time. The most necessary person is he with whom you are, and the most important affair is to do him good.” The story is a parable and teaches how to live a good life. **************************** Mother Theresa said, “People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you. Of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank; people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. (Father Reimer gave me the passage in Nanzan Community College) (September 26, 2009)