Beware the ‘Seven Social Sins’

MORE than nine decades ago, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (later known as Mahatma Gandhi), the preeminent leader of India’s independence movement, published a list called “Seven Blunders of the World” in his weekly newspaper Young India. Also termed “The Seven Social Sins”, it listed the following: > Wealth without work; > Pleasure without conscience; > Knowledge without character; > Commerce without morality; > Science without humanity; > Worship without sacrifice; and >Politics without principle. Gandhi wrote, “If not resisted, these blunders could destroy people and countries.”

We live in a world in which these “social sins” flourish as much today as they did in Gandhi’s time. Surely the battle against them should and must be fought on every front.

It needs to be made ominously clear, especially by example as we stand in the gap to mould generations to follow us, that economic and political systems are ultimately based on a moral foundation. Without this, it’s just a matter of time before the superstructure will crumble and fall.

Gandhi said: “As long as we ignore these truths to justly dictate action, it will only create chaos that ultimately leads to the violence of crime, rebellion and war” and “An unjust law is itself a species of violence.”

Whether we indulge, as people or leaders, in the practice of getting something for nothing or our haughty, greedy, selfish and sensuous concern always is how much more we can get out of something, it is these failings that spell gloom and doom for societies and nations.

At the same time, the benefit of advances in knowledge, science and technology must accrue to and be of service to humans, not replace or, worse, control the lives and pursuits of people.

No amount of mouthing religious precepts or show of religiosity is true godliness without the willingness to honestly serve others, ensure their needs are met and none are despised or denigrated.

All of these principles are anchored on the premise that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, equality, security and justice are the inalienable right of every individual.

Society, the nation and everyone elected, fairly and freely, to serve it must always be accountable to ensure that those rights, in principle and practice, are guaranteed for all.

In Gandhi’s words: “A person cannot do right in one department whilst attempting to do wrong in another department. Life is one indivisible whole.”