We all differ in many ways. Out of them all, one major area is on account of our likes and dislikes. The difference exists owing to our family background, company of friends and climatic conditions. Our likes and dislikes, however, give us an insight into our inner self. They are the sum and substance of our character, temperament and disposition. Like all others, I too have a few likes and dislikes.
My first priority in my liking is cleanliness, which I consider next only to God. The very sight of dust, dirt and cobwebs makes me feel sick. It is not only the cleanliness of physical surroundings but also the cleanliness of heart that I adore. I love those whose heart is clean, though their tongue might be bitter. I worship beauty in any form.
To me beautiful things are those which we never get tired of by seeing. We go on liking them in all ages. Keats has correctly said, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever/I like small things of life as well as big things. When I look at an elephant, it fills me with ecstasy. Similarly, when I observe an ant and its work, I am filled with praise and admiration for it.
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The next thing I like is the beauty of Nature. William Wordsworth has written many poems on nature, depicting her sublime beauty. I too, like Wordsworth, believe in the soul of nature. If and when I want peace of the mind, I go to nature and talk to her.
This gives me great solace. I feel great pain to see that in his mad pursuit for material possession, man has forgotten all about the real joy that comes from Nature. Wordsworth correctly bemoans, when he says:
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers,
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The little we see in nature that is ours.
I have a great liking for civic sense. Those persons who know how to act and behave in society are the ones whom I adore. Such persons are the ‘gentlemen’ in a true sense of the Word. They never inflict pain on others. For them spitting in public is a taboo; they don’t throw their refuse into streets, for they respect the feelings of fellow-beings.
I like small children, hopping and jumping like free birds. Their faces are smooth and glossy. Their small fingers and toes win my admiration. Their sweet company makes me forget all my woes.
But it does not mean I am free from dislikes. To be frank enough, I am a victim more of dislikes than likes. I abhor a chain smoker, who looks like a walking chimney to me. He is a nuisance to himself and to all those who are around him.
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The smoke that comes through his nose paints the picture of a building on fire. It pollutes the air and makes others suffer. I don’t understand what makes him burn his heart and what instigates him to proceed towards self-destruction.
I don’t like flattery and feel convinced that flatterers are too dangerous to mix with. They can never be our true companions and friends. They never let us know our weaknesses. They play with our whims, befool us and cause us great harm in the long run.
Likewise, there are certain persons who never keep their word. They, perhaps, get pleasure out of breaking their own promise. Such persons can never endear themselves to me. I prefer to keep them at bay.
Then there is treachery which I dislike most. Treacherous persons are great enemies of everyone including their own country. They sell their souls, and conscience for petty, selfish gains. Such persons must be kept at an arm’s length.
Lastly, I dislike intellectual snobbery. Some persons have the tendency to show their knowledge by using bombastic and high- sounding words. They think that by showing off they can command respect of people around them. Their very sight reminds me of the famous quote: ‘Empty vessels make much noise.’