Q.12 Make a precise of the following passage in about one-third of its length:
Morals and manners which give colour to life are of much greater importance than laws, which are but their manifestations. The law touches us here and there, but manners are about us everywhere, pervading society like the air we breathe. Good manners as we call them, are neither more nor less than good behaviour; consisting of courtesy and kindness, benevolence being the preponderating element in all kinds of mutually beneficial and pleasant intercourse amongst human beings. “‘Civility” said lady Montague, “loses nothing and buys everything”. The cheapest of all things is kindness, its exercise requiring the least possible trouble and self-sacrifice. “Win hearts”, said Burleigh to Queen Elizabeth, “and you have all men’s hearts and purses.” If we would only let nature act kindly free from affectation and artifice, the results of social good humour and happiness would be incalculable. The little courtesies which from the small changes of life, may separately appear of little intrinsic value, but they acquire their importance from repetition and accumulation. They are like the spare minutes or the great a day, which proverbially produce such momentous results in the course of a twelve month or in a lifetime.
Ans – Title: The Power of Good Manners and Kindness
Morals and manners shape life more than laws, which are just their expressions. Laws affect us occasionally, but manners influence every aspect of society, like the air we breathe. Good manners mean courteous, kind behavior, with kindness being key to positive human interactions. As Lady Montague said, civility costs nothing but gains everything. Kindness is easy and impactful. Small acts of courtesy, though minor individually, grow significantly over time, like spare minutes that lead to great results.