Modern education is not striving to improve the character. It only aims at acquiring friendship, wealth and physical strength. Friendship and wealth without character are useless. It is something like a wire without the current; a field without water supply and a school without a teacher. Character is essential for students. It is this culture of Bharat, which laid more stress on character, which has to be observed. If you have mere education without culture, will it fetch any respect? Will mere rules and regulations without character give you any respect and esteem? Will mere exalted position without any stipulation and regulation give you any esteem and respect? You leave the path of righteousness but speak about righteousness. Will you be respected? You have no fear of sin and you commit all kinds of sins in this world. At least know this truth now. At least you get the name that you are the true son of Bharat.

The modern education is developing our intelligence but not a little character. What is the value of all these forms of education, if it does not give character? What is the result of this education? What is its use for the country? We have to recognise the social welfare and lead our lives. (DTB Vol.7, pp. 2-3)

In spite of his education and intelligence man does not

give up his mean-mindedness and evil qualities.

He has no knowledge of the Self,

Modern education leads to argumentation, not to total wisdom. (Telugu poem)

(SSS Vol.34, p. 104)

The modern system of education makes man hard-hearted and destroys the qualities of compassion and love in man. Once when Gandhiji was sitting gloomily, a foreigner came to him and asked, ‘Gandhiji, may I know what is the cause for your gloom?’ Gandhiji replied, ‘The education imparted today turns man into a hard-hearted person instead of instilling the qualities of love and compassion’. The educated young men of today are totally devoid of sweetness and compassion and they turn ungrateful. In fact unlettered people behave better than the educated young men of today. The most important qualities of a student are humility, lack of pride and unselfishness. They are the three beautiful ornaments without which men will never prosper. (BA, pp. 123-124)