Knowledge or Conduct ! Which is Greater?

Once upon a time, there was a King who used to respect the royal priest of his kingdom very much. Whenever he came, the King would himself get up from his throne and honor him.

One day King asked him, "I have a question. Tell me whether a person's "Conduct is great or his Knowledge is great."

Priest said, "Give me a few days, then I will answer your question."

The next day, the royal Priest went to the King's treasury, picked up some gold coins from there, and kept them in his bag. 

Treasurer saw this but remained silent considering the position of royal priest.

The royal priest kept doing this continuously for some days. He would go there and pick some gold coins and keep them in his bag and then go out after taking those coins. Treasurer watched this.

Because this kept happening for days, the treasurer went to King and told the whole story.

The royal priest reached the King's palace one day, today neither the King himself went to receive him nor got up from his throne in respect.

Royal priest understood that the matter of taking gold coins had reached to King.

King raised his voice and asked to Priest, "Have you taken gold coins from the treasury?"

Priest said, "Yes. This is true."

King got angry and asked, "Why did you do this?"

Priest smiled and said, "I deliberately took the gold coins. I wanted to show you whether a person's conduct is greater than knowledge."

When you came to know that I had taken gold coins without your permission, you didn't get up from the throne in respect, which you usually do. On the contrary, you raised your voice and got angry at me.

My knowledge was with me even before lifting the gold coins and it is with me even after stealing gold coins. But as soon as you came to know about my theft, you lost respect for me.

You used to respect me because of my conduct but as soon as my conduct changed, your thoughts about me also changed and you couldn't respect me."

King understood and praised the priest for his answer.

Learning:- The true measure of a person's greatness lies not just in their knowledge but equally in their conduct. Knowledge may be a constant, but it is one's actions and integrity that determine the genuine worth and respect they receive from others.

Moral:- Actions define our character more than our knowledge or reputation. It's not what we know, but how we conduct ourselves that earns and maintains respect.

"Character speaks louder than knowledge"