1.  “Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it, do not become others.” – Swami Vivekananda

The given quote emphasizes the importance of learning from others while maintaining one’s individuality.

• Learning from others: Recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Absorption of knowledge: Internalizing and understanding new information deeply.
• Maintaining individuality: Adapting learned concepts to fit one’s own context and values.

Ethical perspectives

• Intellectual humility: Acknowledging that others may possess valuable knowledge.
• Integrity: Staying true to one’s core values while incorporating new ideas.
• Authenticity: Expressing learned concepts in a way that aligns with one’s personality.

Utility in personal and professional life

• Self-development: Continuously improving oneself by learning from various sources.
• Leadership: Adapting best practices while developing a unique leadership style.
• Problem-solving: Combining diverse approaches to create innovative solutions.

Significance for Civil Servants

• Enhances policy-making by incorporating global best practices while addressing local needs.
• Promotes cultural sensitivity and adaptability in diverse work environments.
• Encourages continuous learning and improvement in governance.

Swami Vivekananda’s quote advocates for a harmonious balance between learning from others and celebrating one’s own heritage, leading to a more enriched and authentic life.

Concerns

• Balancing external influences with personal beliefs and values.
• Avoiding imitation while still benefiting from others’ experiences.

Mahatma Gandhi drew on teachings from Jesus and Leo Tolstoy to develop his philosophy of Satyagraha. This approach fosters personal growth, innovative thinking, and effective leadership, crucial for ethical and efficient public service.

2. "Faith is of no avail in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work." — Sardar Patel.

The given quote highlights the interplay between faith and strength in achieving goals. Faith provides the motivation, purpose, and perseverance needed to overcome challenges. It’s the belief that something is possible, even when circumstances seem daunting. Strength is the physical, mental, and emotional capacity to act on that belief. It’s the ability to work hard, endure hardships, and make sacrifices.

For a Public Servant, faith provides a vision for a better society, while strength ensures dedication to implement reforms without corruption. Both are essential for effective progress. Example: Sardar Patel''s vision of a unified India emerged through diplomatic strength, while Nelson Mandela''s faith and activists'' strength ended apartheid, leading to a free South Africa.

Social Movements like Black Lives Matter and environmental activism demonstrate how a strong belief in justice (faith) must be matched by the organizational strength to drive change.

Successful entrepreneurs embody this interplay, as their vision (faith) must be matched with resilience and strategic execution (strength) to overcome setbacks in competitive markets. Example: Elon Musk''s faith in electric vehicles and reusable rockets highlights how belief and strength help him overcome challenges and achieve his ambitious vision.

Nations advance through shared faith and effective reforms. The Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam philosophy promotes global harmony, as seen in India''s Vaccine Maitri initiative and programs like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the SDGs.

Patel’s wisdom remains relevant, guiding leaders to cultivate both faith and strength for effective governance and societal progress.

3. "In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so." — Immanuel Kant.

The given quote of Immanuel Kant highlights the distinction between legal and ethical culpability. The law focuses on actions that violate others'' rights, while ethics consider intentions and thoughts. An action may be legal but still morally wrong if it has malicious intent.

Example - Adultery was once considered both illegal and unethical, but it is no longer criminal in India. Lord Macaulay, instrumental in the early drafting process of the IPC, was not inclined to make adultery a penal offence, believing that a better remedy lay in pecuniary compensation. He acknowledged that given the sacramental nature of marriage in India, the law was not the solution in dealing with marital infidelity. Distinguishing between a moral wrong and an offence, he wrote, “We cannot admit that a Penal code is by any means to be considered as a body of ethics, that the legislature ought to punish acts merely because those acts are immoral, or that because an act is not punished at all it follows that the legislature considers that act as innocent.”

Kant''s quote hence serves as a reminder that moral responsibility extends beyond actions to include our thoughts and intentions. By fostering ethical awareness, individuals can contribute to a more just and respectful society, emphasizing the importance of integrity in both thought and action.  Mahatma Gandhi said, “Morality is the basis of things and truth is the substance of all morality.”