Courtesy is the light of life .
A very good morning to one and the all.
Honourable chairperson, respected principal , respected teachers and my dear friends.Today, our college has organised the elocution competition and topic of the speech is 'Courtesy is the light of life.' Can you tell the origin of this word (courtesy)? The word courtesy comes from old French which described the rules that the Nobels had to follow when they gathered in the court(Diwan) especially in the presence of king.
Courtesy isn't about knowing when to say 'please' and 'thank you'.These little words can easily be bandied(passed on) without having much meanings.Kindness enhances our personality as well as affects your our character.And the most important thing is the character of a person. It is said that if you lost your wealth , nothing is lost.If you lost your health ,something is lost.But if you lost your character, everything is lost. Thus, character plays a very important role in our life.And our behaviour reflects our character.
Why is courtesy the light of life? Because it throws the light on our personality.Our conduct is also one of the parts of our personality. If you are kind and your behaviour is polite, the people have a good impression of you. People like you because of your courtesy. Courtesy is expressed by us through our words and deeds.We should use these golden words such as excuse me, please,sorry,thank you, welcome etc. while talking to others.We should express our courtesy through our behaviour and conduct .e.g respect of elders, love of youngers, taking care of neighbours,help the friends, class fellows, parents,sibilings and the poor and needy whom we come across etc.
Well, a good mannered person is always acknowledged,appreciated and respected by people . Friends, courtesy is a profitable thing because when you show kind behaviour to others as a result ,others also respect you.The cult(system of religious beliefs )of courtesy is governed by the principle, 'give and take' e.g if someone offers you a cup of tea or coffee,before you accept it you should say 'thank you.'If we respect others,they will also respect us.This is the 'give and take' principle.
Courtesy also makes you happy and contented with life.If you help someone,it gives you joy of satisfaction because that person will be grateful to you forever .He will appreciate you and an appreciation gives you joy. If you have courtesy,you will be happier and contented with life.
Courtesy costs nothing but pays a huge dividend is an apt maxim.A rude ,ill- mannnered person is disliked by everyone.On the other hand polite and good-mannered person is liked ,loved by everyone.The great essayist Francis Bacon says," A man without a sense of courtesy is an animal with human form." So as a human being we should follow the principles of courtesy because courtesy is the light of life.
I hope you will follow the principles of courtesy.
Thank you.