Looking at COMPROMISES - what's good for us.

Compromise is an agreement that is reached when each person gets part, but not all of what he/she wanted. Compromise also relates to expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable. English has a category of words that have both positive and negative meanings called contronym. The word ‘compromise’ does have an element of both positive and negative meanings.

Let’s peek into some peoples ‘compromises’, their wisdom quotes sharing hints how they managed ‘compromises’ in their life for better or worse in different awkward situations and conditions, with their principles, relationships etc.

We begin with a spiritual quote. SGGS435 “mat hir la-ee tayree moorhay ha-umai vadaa rog pa-i-aa…..” You have been cheated out your intellect, you fool, and you are afflicted with the great disease of ego. Within your innermost self, you do not recognize God and you ‘compromise’ yourself for the sake of Maya.” A spiritual compromise’ is quite universal in ordinary minds but a serious mistake to live with.

My next peek was looking at compromise with people seeking justice through courts. "There are 59,87,477 cases pending in high courts across the country, as per the information available on National Judicial Data Grid on February 1, 2023," The longest case, pertaining to liquidation of the erstwhile Berhampore Bank Ltd got disposed after 72 years by the Calcutta High Court.

Several years back visiting Bangla Saheb Gurudwara I noticed at the parikrama area around the sarovar few individuals sitting on either side with an elderly person in their center. On enquiry I was told, often individuals as in two parties with their matter of dispute would come here to settle them in the precinct of the Gurudwara within themselves. A thought then came to mind that those people, who resolve within themselves, surely know life is a combination of sacrifice, adjustments and compromises.

In my early twenties I was planning to study law, a few immature ideas then as I looked upon the practices about our legal institution. Disputes pursued with ‘compromise’ between parties, fitted as the best cheapest lawyer. For me a legal representative was one with very high ethics, honesty, values and morals. He also being well versed with state laws, its sections and punishing capabilities, I imagined ‘One fair Legal Counsel should be good enough to settle fairly, civil disputes between two parties based on their merits and legal standings. However in practice, 2 separate learned representatives legally speak their client’s truth, which belongs to only one. The Andha Kanoon is meant to bring justice to all, however often the skills of a legal representative prevails over ‘Truth’ influencing judgements not for the truth where it should belong.

In a legal environment there is every possibility ‘compromise’ is understood as both parties to get what neither of them wanted. There is often wisdom in compromise when circumstances reason well that it is better to bend a little than to break. In legal corridors unless both sides are prepared to compromise, there will always be a challenge to bring peace & agreements in civil matters. A lean compromise is better than a fat law suit.

In our next post we look at ‘compromise’ contributions in other aspects of our life. They may be providing a good umbrella but a poor roof or as some put it as “Compromise a way to live a life, if not carry on with troubles.”