1) The

vacuum of values that we are facing today has come about because those who should have protected the values
have surrendered without struggle.
a. The older generation should have preserved our customs and values.
b. By compromising on religious, social, and cultural values for the sake of progress, they allowed the situation
to deteriorate.
2) If wants were horses, even beggars would ride.
a. It is not possible to satisfy all of man’s needs and wants since resources are limited.
b. It is important to understand the limitation of one’s resources, and some wants must be given up in favour of
others.
3) Wants are good slaves but bad masters.
a. Becoming a slave of one’s wants makes a person miserable.
b. It is not correct to be controlled by one’s desires, and the one who enslaves his wants reigns supreme.
c. Islam also gives the message to be resourceful.
4) Procrastination is the thief of time.
a. This statement is attributed to English poet, Edward Young.
b. Time is the most valuable resource of man.
c. Wasting time doesn’t allow people to fully utilize their resources and abilities.
d. Procrastination points of psychological escapism.
5) Man is the architect of his on fate.
a. By hard work and strength of character, man can overcome adversity.
b. The way to move forward is to identify one’s weaknesses, and improve upon them.
c. Technological innovation and evolution has proved that man has the ability to change fate.
6) East is East and West is West, and never the train shall meet
a. This verse is taken from the poem ‘The Ballad of East and West’, written by Rudyard Kipling.
b. East is characterized by spiritual and emotional behavior.
c. West is characterized by rationalism and scientific advancement.
d. East and West should adopt the positive aspects of the other and improve.
7) What we call progress, is largely delusory.
a. Man has made remarkable progress, but all people have not been able to enjoy its benefits.
b. Man strived to make progress, but ignored his spiritual side, causing spiritual deterioration.
c. The rich keep getting richer, and poor keep getting poorer. Hence, the lack of partiality and uniformity in
progress can lead one to say that progress is delusory.
8) The superannuated man.
a. Superannuated refers to a person who is forced to retire due to age, or rules and regulations.
b. People who have skills can stay busy even after retirement.
c. Those without marketable skills have to resort to hobbies or leisurely activities.
d. Unemployment leads to difficulties in fulfilling responsibilities such as education and marriage of children.
9) Lure of fashions.
a. People tend to adopt fashions to gain prominence and stay with the times.
b. Fashion has developed into a means of showing social and economic superiority.
c. The desire to adopt fashions and trends spreads to the poor too, but they are unable to follow through.
d. We should remember that Islam gives the message of simplicity and balance, so one should be careful while
rushing to adopt fashions.
10) Dilemma of youth in Pakistan
a. This is a general topic which can depends on the current scenario.
b. Some ideas include uncertainty about future, lack of jobs, and hypocrisy of religious and political leaders.
11) Religion is the only force that can keep people together; but it seems to have failed to do so in our country.
a. Religion has tremendous potential as a unifying force, but it has been unable to do so.
b. Israel is an example of a state where religion has united the entire population.
c. Pakistan has failed to utilize this potential, otherwise East Pakistan wouldn’t have split away.
d. The failure can be attributed to lack of consensus on vital issues. Moreover, after the death of Quaid-e-Azam,
leaders failed to create a society based on ideals of justice and equality.
12) Speak no evil, hear no evil, and see no evil.
a. The saying has ben derived from the sculpture of three monkeys over the Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko,
Japan.
b. Evil corrupts life of a man; hence it should be avoided in all farms.
c. Man is a mixture of good and evil, and leans towards that side which he feeds the most.
d. Abiding by this principle would rid the society of and the world of all evils.
e. Another interpretation of this pictorial maxim is that one turns a blind eye towards injustices in the world.
13) Life is a tragedy to those who feel, and a comedy to those who think.
a. This statement is attributed to English politician, Horace Walpole.
 b. Life is a mixture of comedy and tragedy
c. There is no unanimity of views among poets, philosophers, and novelists.
d. Most people’s view of life revolves around pleasure and enjoyment. They feel that man doesn’t have a future
after death. They also add that life is a gift from God, and should be enjoyed to the fullest.
e. Others take a pessimistic view of life, and to them life is all doom and gloom.
f. One should take a positive view of life, and should not passively give in to cruel forces.
14) Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar’s, and unto God which is God’s.
a. This is a phrase that is attributed to Jesus in one of the Gospels. It was used as a summary of relations
between the state and Christianity, when the question of paying taxes came up.
b. This can be used to justify the existence of a modern democracy in a Muslim country.
c. Man should recognize the rights of fellow beings, and fulfill them.
d. Man has different roles in society, and each role should be fulfilled with responsibility.
e. Man also has obligations towards God that must also be fulfilled.
15) All the world’s a stage
a. This line is taken from the play ‘As You Like It’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. He states that all the world’s a stage, and men and women are merely players; they have their exits and
entrances.
c. Shakespeare uses this to discuss the different stages of life that a person passes through.
d. The world, as a stage, witnesses each of these acts of man.
e. Furthermore, the world stage can be characterized by two worlds, developing and developed.
16) A man’s personality, morality, intellect and attitudes are all the products of his bodily chemistry.
a. Statement says that a person’s morality and intellect depend on his health.
b. The statement can be disagreed with on many counts. Firstly, because health and personality are no
guarantees of morality and intellect. Morality depends on the society, upbringing, and education.
c. The role of society is thus very important. In knowledge-oriented societies, rational attitude prevails. In
obscurantist societies, people’s attitudes are rigid and inflexible.
d. Intellect is conditioned by genetics and environment. Education based societies stimulate a person’s intellect.
17) Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘Man and Superman’, written by George Bernard Shaw.
b. This is a satire on the education system of Pakistan, and can be used to explain problems of education in
Pakistan.
c. Well-educated and capable people take up jobs. Those who are unable to find any jobs, become teachers.
d. Competitive exams suck up all the talent, and the residue goes to education.
18) And when I love thee not, chaos is come again.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘Othello’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. Importance of love in human life. Love is a dynamic and invisible force, and the absence of love leads to chaos
and turmoil.
19) The devotional believers coin baseless stories about their gurus.
a. This is a statement that criticizes the blind devotion of followers for their gurus. This can also be taken as a
swipe against the narrow-minded educational system that fails to incorporate critical thinking skills in
people.
b. Such behavior can also be due to the fact that people want to earn the pleasure of their gurus. In this
interpretation, one can direct it to explain the client-based politics of Pakistan.
c. Such behaviours are prevalent in primitive societies, where the hold of religion, customs, and power is strong.
d. Spread of education can improve the situation as rationalism leads to a decline in hero-worship.
20) Civilized dissent is necessary for social progress
a. Societies where dissent is allowed succeed in finding ways to progress.
b. Western democratic societies are a good example of this as it provides forums for people to disagree with one
another, and even with the government.
c. In traditional societies, one cannot question the wishes of the elders.
d. Dissent was one of the driving forces behind the progress of Europe.
e. Democracy is the best way to foster civilized dissent.
21) Eventually all human action must be judged by its moral content.
a. Every action must be judged according to morality.
b. Material gains are often immoral. Can be linked to international relations where pursuit of national interest
can often involve moral compromises.
c. Religion requires man to be moral.
22) Houses are built to live in and not look on.
a. House is one of the basic needs of man.
b. People in developing countries have housing that is sufficient to meet their basic needs. Despite their
apparent flaws, it provides them accommodation and a shelter from elements.
 c. Houses should be designed and constructed in a way that they are easy to manage. They should fulfill the
basic requirements.
d. Rich people spend a lot on their houses. In most cases, this can be categorized as an attempt to show off their
wealth.
23) What is this life, if full of care. We have no time to stare.
a. This verse is taken from the poem ‘Leisure’, written by William Henry Davies.
b. It comments on how modern life is full of clamour and commotion.
c. Man has become a machine in the desire to progress. He is lost in a web of competition, and runs after
materialism.
d. Hellen Keller remarked how those with eyes often do not appreciate what is visible to them.
e. One should set aside time for relaxation and relief from stresses of life.
24) Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air.
a. This verse is taken from the poem ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’, written by Thomas Gray.
b. The author states that many flowers wither without spreading their sweet smell to the surroundings. This can
be interpreted as failure to utilize talent and potential.
c. Can be used to describe wastage of human resource, national resources, and lack of merit in Pakistan.
25) Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare.
b. Man should listen to the views of everyone, but not voice his opinion in front of everyone.
c. When among intellectuals, he should try to listen as much as possible so he can learn from them.
d. Careless use of words can lead to embarrassment. In such cases, silence is better than idle talk.
26) All that glitters is not gold.
a. Outward appearances are often deceptive.
b. Real beauty of a person lies inside.
c. One should not run after attractive appearances.
27) Any labour saving device is the most inhuman aspect of work.
a. This is true for developing states where there is a lot of untrained labour.
b. Developed countries tend to be more capital intensive than labour intensive.
28) The only knowledge worth having is that which is applicable to some part of the economic life of the community.
a. This line is taken from the works of Bertrand Russell.
b. Knowledge cannot be compartmentalized.
c. Apart from economics, there is a need for knowledge-based economy.
d. Pakistan needs to focus on technological knowledge.
29) It is better to be silent and be thought stupid, than to speak and prove it.
a. One should only speak when needed.
b. Better to listen and absorb knowledge from others.
c. Silence teaches patience; patience leads to success.
30) To err is human, to forgive divine.
a. This line is taken from ‘An Essay on Criticism’, written by Alexander Pope.
b. It is in human nature to make mistakes and sin.
c. God forgives man for unintentional mistakes, but not for intentional ones, unless there is sincere repentance.
d. God’s forgiveness falls on all people, and not a specific group.
e. Man should try to learn this trait and show mercy and forgiveness towards others instead of being vindictive.
31) The golden rule is that there are no golden rules.
a. This is a line taken from the works of George Bernard Shaw.
b. It means that man made rules change with circumstances. Governments regularly amend laws based on the
perceived need of the time.
c. Laws on ethics and morality, however, do not change. Similarly, laws of truth cannot be changed.
32) Foreign aid – a blessing or a curse.
a. Poor, developing countries need to undertake development projects in order to increase their GDP and fight
poverty. The idea behind foreign aid is that it can help these countries undertake such projects. Hence, if
utilized effectively, foreign aid is beneficial.
b. Aid becomes a curse when it gives rise to debt servicing burden.
c. Countries that take debts cannot pursue independent economic policies. They cannot pursue their national
interests freely.
33) Truth is in short supply.
a. It is a predicament of man that he has sacrificed the sanctity of truth for the sake of progress.
b. Men compromise on truth for the sake of progress due to the need for pragmatic approaches in the modern
world.
c. Bacon and Machiavelli theorized that material progress is the only real progress.
 d. Success today, however, is dependent on diplomacy and tact, both of which often involve deviations from the
truth. As a result, truth is shrinking and deception is on the rise.
e. Institutions of today do not teach honesty and its virtues.
34) Slow and steady wins the race.
a. This statement is taken from ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’, written by ancient Greek fabulist Aesop.
b. Those who pursue goals with steady ambitions are most successful. This concept can be linked to national
development and policy making.
c. China is the best example of steady progress – it has been growing steadily towards its goal by stabilizing its
economy.
d. The importance of long-term visions and planning comes to mind.
e. Pakistan should move slowly towards its goals, rather than depending on quick fixes.
35) Competition in education.
a. Competition is important in every walk of life.
b. Competition in education is vital because it brings out the best in people.
c. Unfortunately for Pakistan, there are parallel systems of education in place. There should be competition
between private and public sectors of education.
d. Government should try to bring the public sector up to the same standard as the private sector.
36) My view of life
a. This is a general topic that can be taken in any direction based on the individual.
b. Different people have different ideas about life.
c. The purpose of life should not be restricted to eating and sleeping.
d. Life is to give and not to take, and the highest aim in life should be helping others.
e. One should aim to establish justice and avoid prejudice.
37) Would you be happy in a fool’s paradise?
a. A fool’s paradise refers to an illusion of happiness and vanity.
b. Fools, or vain people like to dwell in an unreal world, segregated from the realities of life.
38) A wise man is one who thinks he is a fool.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘As You Like It’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. Humility is a trait of wise people. They do not boast about their perceived wisdom.
c. Socrates stated, “All I know is that I know nothing.”
d. Shakespeare said that fools are usually wise men as they are capable of saying wise things without realizing.
39) There is no short cut to success.
a. One must not look for the easy way out when in tough scenarios as man has the tendency to adopt shortcuts.
b. One has to work hard to achieve the desired objectives in life.
40) Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘King Henry IV’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. The crown refers to any person with power or responsibility.
c. It means that responsibility brings stress and tension.
d. Consider examples of people in positions of power and the tough decisions that they’ve had to take, e.g.
Truman and the atomic bomb, etc.
41) In matters of conscience, the law of majority has no place.
a. This statement is attributed to Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi.
b. People talk about conscience, but bypass it for their personal considerations.
c. People ask others to abstain from something, but end up doing it themselves. Similarly, everyone talks about
conscience, but very few act accordingly.
d. This can be applied to international relations where the rules of conscience and morality re often ignored in
pursuit of national interests.
42) A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
a. This verse is taken from the poem ‘Endymion’, written by John Keats.
b. Witnessing beauty moves a person, and it becomes impossible to escape its influence.
c. Most people go for external beauty, some for intellectual, and a select few for spiritual beauty.
43) The impossible is often the untried.
a. Things that seem impossible eventually happen due to the will of man.
b. Give examples of things that were previously deemed impossible, ended up as realities.
c. Can be linked to Pakistan and how things can be turned around in the political and economic sectors of the
country.
44) Man has his will and woman her way.
a. Men and women have different attributes.
b. Men are usually characterized by strong will. Women on the other hand lack willpower, and make up for it
using their beauty and charms. This is because even the strongest men can wilt in front of the beauty of a
woman.
 c. Personally disagree with this; give examples of prominent women in the past such as Fatima Jinnah, Hazrat
Khadija
d. The argument can also be made that the perceived difference lies due to unequal opportunities for men and
women.
45) Politics is a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.
a. This statement is attributed to American writer, Ambrose Bierce.
b. Politicians pretend to care about the masses, but in reality they only care about themselves.
c. Masses are duped by the words of the polity.
d. There is, however, a difference between the developed and developing countries. In the former, it is more
difficult for politicians to get away on empty promises. In such societies, politicians still try to deceive the
people, but there is a level of accountability.
46) Liberty doesn’t work as well in practice as it does in speech.
a. Talking about liberty is trendy but not everyone follows through with it.
b. One only has to look at Pakistan and see how it has failed to live up to the promises of social justice.
c. Despite the wordy speeches by the leaders, there have been curbs placed on the freedoms of the people.
47) If you wish the sympathy of broad manes, then you must tell them the crudest and most stupid things.
a. This line is taken from the book ‘Mein Kampf’, written by Adolf Hitler.
b. Broad manes refer to people who aren’t very smart.
c. In order to win the support of these people, one must speak in a way that they can understand.
d. In order to counter this, the only solution is to educate them, with a focus on critical thinking.
48) Every system of government emerges from its system.
a. A mother system is one that dominates the ideology of all sub-systems.
b. Some people consider economics to be the mother system, whereas others consider politics.
c. In reality, it is politics that dictate the economic system. One can present examples from history of Pakistan.
This can also be linked to the question of China’s rise, and theory of interdependence.
d. There is a need for harmony between the political and economic systems.
49) A contented mind is a blessing in kind.
a. Contended mind refers to a mind in complete ease.
b. People in third world countries are often caught up in the stress of meeting their basic needs.
c. However, if one looks at the developed world, it can be seen that material fulfillment isn’t enough for peace of
mind.
d. One can argue that true contentment can only be achieved through serving mankind.
50) Lots of people confuse bad management with destiny.
a. People have the tendency to blame God’s will for their own shortcomings and misgivings.
b. Humans beings themselves are to blame for the mishaps that befall them.
c. Unplanned projects result in unwanted results. In such cases, it is futile to blame others for one’s own faults.
51) If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.
a. One should strike the iron while it is hot,
b. It is foolish to let opportunities pass by. People who do so, have to repent it.
c. People who suffer from indecisiveness have to a pay a heavy price.
52) The winds are always on the side of the ablest navigator.
a. This statement is attributed to English historian, Edward Gibbon.
b. Winds means tough situations in life; navigator means the person facing the situation.
c. The ablest navigator is one who exhibits patience and fortitude during times of crisis.
d. If man faces difficulties heroically, he can overcome any adversity.
53) We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals, others by their actions.
a. This statement is attributed to English diplomat, Harold Nicolson.
b. One should not use the same yardstick for everyone.
c. We should realize that different people have different ideals, and it is impossible to get everyone to abide by
your own principles.
d. We would not want to live by someone else’s ideals, hence, it is hypocritical to expect the same from others.
54) Goodwill is earned by many acts; it can be lost by one.
a. The process of earning goodwill is long and arduous.
b. People tend to remember the negatives about each other, hence a single mistake can damage a hard earned
reputation.
c. They say that a person’s reputation is like a white paper; once there is a mark on it, it can never be spotless
again.
55) Garner ye rose buds while ye may.
a. This verse is taken from the poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”, written by Robert Herrick.
b. The key idea is that one should seize the moment and not let opportunities pass by.
c. This can be applied on tangible as well as non-tangible items. It can also be applied on aspects of morality.
56) What fools these mortals be.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. The concept is that man is a mortal and his time on earth is limited.
c. Since the industrial revolution, man has started to explore more and more.
d. Man is perhaps a fool because he ends up prioritizing that which doesn’t need to be prioritized.
57) They never fall who fall in good cause.
a. People who die for a good cause are remembered forever.
b. This is a topic which can be taken in any direction. One can give examples of scientists, martyrs, activists, and
philanthropists.
58) It is not only fine feather that make fine birds.
a. This statement is taken from ‘The Jay and the Peacock’, written by ancient Greek fabulist Aesop.
b. Fine feathers can be interpreted as outer appearance. It can also be interpreted as a person’s family name.
c. The concept is that one should not judge a book by its cover. Hard work and dedication can elevate the
stature of any individual.
59) Self conceit may lead to self destruction.
a. This statement is taken from ‘The Frog and the Ox’, written by ancient Greek fabulist Aesop.
b. Self conceit can be applied to people who procrastinate a lot. It can also be applied to people who fool
themselves into doing something. Moreover, it can also be applied to narcissists.
c. Self-conceited people are often escapist in nature. They tend to run away from their problems.
60) Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
a. This statement is attributed to English politician, Leonard Courtney.
b. Vigilance is needed to safeguard liberty of a people.
c. In order to safeguard it, people should be empowered, and authorities must do their best to pull them out of
poverty.
d. Freedom and liberty are important for all countries, irrespective of their size.
61) The most important thing is not to find but to add ourselves to what we find.
a. This phrase talks about the importance of lifelong learning.
b. Instead of finding new things, one should consolidate that which has already been discovered, and
incorporate that into his personality.
c. If a person’s curiosity is restricted, human progress would come to a halt.
d. One should make the best use of knowledge in different fields.
62) A great part of the mischiefs of the world rise from words.
a. The wrong use of words causes many problems. Hence, one should great care in choosing what to say and
how to say it.
b. In this regard, diplomats are very careful with the kinds of words they use as a slip of tongue on their part can
have catastrophic repercussions.
c. Emotional people often say things that they regret later.
63) Man does not live by bread alone.
a. This statement is taken from the Holy Bible.
b. Food is important for man, but it isn’t the only need.
c. Man needs entertainment, social interactions, and a sense of contentment in order to live a fulfilling life.
64) Men are not hanged for stealing horses, but that horses may not be stolen.
a. This statement is attributed to English politician, George Savile.
b. It implies that the purpose of law is to prevent crime, not to punish who commit it.
c. Society where there is a supremacy of law, lives and property of people will be safe.
d. Apart from judiciary, other aspects of government should also be improved.
65) Three may keep a secret if two are dead.
a. This statement is taken from ‘Poor Richard’s Almanac’, written by Benjamin Franklin.
b. Man, by nature, cannot keep a secret. As a result, most secrets end up being disclosed.
c. In order to prevent secrets from becoming public talk, one should keep personal conversation to oneself.
66) Life without a philosophy is like a ship without a rudder.
a. This statement is attributed to Scottish philosopher, Thomas Carlyle.
b. Philosophy gives a guiding principle to life, which then directs a person.
c. Each person should have a purpose in life, and philosophy helps man find his purpose. It also helps man to
achieve his goals.
67) Better to wear out than to rust out.
a. Wear out means to burn out due to excessive hard work and toil. Rust out means to be rendered incapable
due to laziness and procrastination.
b. People must utilize their talents for the personal benefit, and for the benefit of the society.
c. Man cannot exist without a struggle. Work helps in getting rid of mental parasites.
d. One can give the example of Old Man and the Sea, where the old man, despite his age, keeps working hard.
68) The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is to not hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of
humanity.
a. This statement is attributed to Anglo-Irish intellectual, George Bernard Shaw.
b. He states that indifferent attitude hurts the self esteem of others. Hence, hating someone is better than being
indifferent towards them, as the latter can completely floor a person.
69) You will find poetry nowhere unless you bring some with you.
a. This statement is attributed to French moralist, Joseph Joubert.
b. The inspiration for poetry, literature, and hence form of endeavor always has to come from within a person.
c. Happiness and sorrow also come from within a person. Therefore, we are architects of our own happiness
and sorrows.
70) Old order changeth yielding place to new; lest one good custom should corrupt the world.
a. This verse is taken from the poem ‘The Passing of Arthur’, by Alfred Tennyson.
b. It implies that change is important for the world.
c. Old ideas, regardless of how perfect they may seem, should keep evolving and changing, otherwise they
become prone to corruption.
d. Change, therefore, is a stable reality of life.
71) A bee in one’s bonnet.
a. This is an idiom that means that a person is possessed by a crazy idea.
b. Passion and commitment are needed to progress in life, but they should not be so intense that they enter the
realm of craziness.
72) Success has many friends.
a. Success draws many followers, and people flock to be near the ones who are successful.
b. People like to be around those who have power and influence.
c. When a person is going through hardship, or is in need of others, he will find that others will usually abandon
him.
73) Marriage is a lottery.
a. Lottery is a game of chance; one can never be sure what he will get out of it.
b. Marriage being equal to a lottery implies that there are no guarantees regarding the success or failure of a
marriage.
c. Several external factors play a part in shaping the dynamics of a married couple’s life.
d. One cannot make a judgment based on what they observe prior to the marriage as people are likely to present
their best sides before marriage.
74) The apparel oft proclaims the man.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘Hamlet’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. It implies that a person’s outward appearance creates the first impression regarding him. In most cases this
first impression is also the last one.
c. People who are rich from the inside, don’t go on the appearances of others.
d. Shallow people dress to flatter others.
75) Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated.
a. This statement is attributed to American businessman, Robert McNamara.
b. Every entity is drawn to the source that fulfills its needs.
c. Hearts appreciate being shown love and devotion, and are drawn towards sources of love.
d. Similarly, brains are drawn towards places where their skills and talents are appreciated.
e. One learns that merit and objectivity must reign supreme in societies in order for brains to feel welcome.
f. This phrase can be linked to the concept of brain drain.
76) Learn to walk before you run.
a. Things must be done one step at a time. It is not possible to achieve mastery in a field without perfecting the
basics.
b. There is no harm in being ambitious, but one should dream big, yet start small.
c. Once momentum has been built up, man can start to spread his wings and utilize his full potential.
d. This concept can be applied to the way in which nations pursue their developmental goals.
77) Beggars are not the choosers.
a. The reality of life is that beggars depend on the handouts of others. In such a position, they can not dictate
what is given to them, and have to accept whatever comes their way.
b. This concept can be applied to the concept of foreign aid. Countries that depend on others for developmental
assistance, cannot choose the amount and nature of the aid being given to them. Moreover, begging at state
level curbs the freedom of the state in pursuing its national interests.
78) Handsome is that handsome does.
a. Handsomeness is used to describe something that is pleasant to look at.
b. True handsomeness rises from a person’s deeds and actions.
c. Attraction that is based appearance, position, power, and wealth is short-lived.
79) Young habits die hard.
a. This is different from the usual phrase that old habits die hard, although it can be said that both carry a
similar meaning.
b. Habits formed at an early part of life are firmly engrained in a person’s character, hence difficult to give up.
c. The concept of habits can be applied to foreign policies of countries.
80) Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.
a. This statement is attributed to Scottish essayist, Robert Louis Stevenson.
b. Statement implies that one can become a politician without any particular preparation.
c. The statement holds true for developing country where the political system hasn’t matured and people aren’t
politically aware. The only preparation needed is to learn how to woo the masses.
d. In developed countries, politicians are educated, and have to win the support of an educated voter base. As a
result, they need to dedicate a lot of time to preparation.
e. The election of Donald Trump can be used as a counter argument since he had no political background, nor
did he do substantive homework on matters of domestic and foreign policy.
81) It is excellent to have a giant’s strength, but tyrannical to use it like a giant.
a. This line is taken from the play ‘Measure for Measure’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. Strength and power should be acquired by individuals and states. This helps them to safeguard their rights
and interests.
c. The power should not be used to intimidate others, or used in ways that are amoral.
82) In strategy it is important to see distant things close and take a distanced view of close things.
a. This statement is attributed to Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
b. This statement talks about the importance of long-term planning when making strategies.
c. Planning should be long term, and one should think of potential risks when devising it.
83) He who eats the fruit should at least plant the seed.
a. This statement is attributed to American philosopher Henry David Thoreau.
b. This statement stresses on the need for hard work and self-reliance.
c. Individuals and communities that rely on others without working for it, eventually fall flat.
d. There should be an encouragement of development and savings culture in the country.
84) Means justify the ends.
a. This statement is in contrast to Machiavellian concept of ends justifying the means.
b. Projects should only be undertaken if one has the necessary means to undertake them. There is no harm in
placing projects on hold due to lack of resources.
c. Ignoring one’s means leads a person to commit crime, or to depend on others.
85) It is hard for an empty bag to stand straight.
a. This statement is attributed to American politician, Benjamin Franklin.
b. Empty bag here can refer to an empty stomach or an empty mind.
c. This implies that people who are not fulfilled intellectually or physically, don’t end up being productive
members of the society.
86) Honesty is the best policy but advertisement also helps.
a. Barely being honest doesn’t suffice. One should ensure that others are aware of one’s honesty, although this
should be done using tact.
b. The core principle of this statement can be considered anti-Islamic as a person should be honest for the sake
of honesty, and not for propagating it to look good among others.
87) A country is backward because its people are backward.
a. This implies that a country’s lack of progress can be attributed to the lack of education and intellect in its
people.
b. This can be linked to Plato’s statement of how the condition of education ends up defining the state.
88) Every solution breeds a new problem.
a. The solution to a problem can end up giving birth to many new and unexpected problems.
b. This is a general statement and can be applied to religion, politics, economics, social sector, science and
technology, etc.
89) A suspicious parent makes an artful child.
a. An artful person is one who is clever and deceitful.
b. This implies that a person’s good conduct should come from within and not from fear of punishment or
retaliation.
c. In some cases, excessive suspicion and harsh behavior can push a person to the wrong side out of revenge
and desperation.
d. This can be applied in the context of how children are taught about religion.
90) Would it be true to say that unhappy people have often the least cause for being unhappy?
a. Unhappiness often comes from a person’s failure to resolve the problems they are facing.
b. In some cases, it is uncontrollable, while in others, it is self-imposed.
 c. It can be argued that happiness and unhappiness reflect that state of a person’s mind.
91) He most lives who thinks most, feels noblest, and acts best.
a. This verse is taken from the poem ‘A Country Town’, written by Philip James Bailey.
b. This statement talks about three principles on which one can spend their life. Thinking most refers to
pondering about the intricacies of life and gaining knowledge.
c. Feeling noble comes from a sense of contentment and personal satisfaction.
d. Acting best refers to the acts of helping others. One can say that it can also refer to fulfilling the Huqooq-ul-
Ibad.
92) Man is born free but every where he is in chains.
a. This line is taken from the ‘Social Contract’, written by Voltaire and Roseau.
b. It talks about the restrictions that a person finds imposed on himself.
c. These restrictions, which are referred to as chains, can be imposed from others in the form of cultural norms,
political ideology, and religious values. These chains can also be self constructed in the form of a person’s own
goals and ambitions.
93) Ill fares a land, to hastening ills a prey; where wealth accumulates and men decay.
a. This verse is taken from the poem ‘To Deserted Village’, written by Oliver Goldsmith.
b. It talks about of aspects of social and moral degradation in a society. It implies that the accumulation of
wealth opens up gates of committing sins and vices.
c. The line can be taken as a reference to moral corruption in towns which happens in pursuit of wealth and
advancement.
94) Make hay while the sun shines.
a. This statement talks about the importance of making the most of opportunities, and making use of opportune
moments.
b. It can be interpreted in a social, political, and economic context.
95) Words are like leaves and where they most abound, much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found.
a. This statement is taken from the works of English poet Alexander Pope.
b. The writer compares the abundance of words to the abundance of leaves. Just like no fruit is found under the
leaves, wisdom isn’t found where a lot of words are spoken.
96) Many things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.
a. This statement is taken from the works of English poet Alfred Tennyson.
b. Islam calls believers to call upon Allah, and remember Him for the favours He has bestowed on humans.
c. The Western society focuses on pragmatism, and has forgotten the importance of being close to God.
97) However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names.
a. This statement is attributed to American philosopher Henry David Thoreau.
b. It outlines a practical philosophy for life that implies that one should live life under all conditions.
c. Rebuking of life during difficult times and calling it names, does not help in getting rid of problems.
d. It is only hard work and perseverance that gets a person through the adversities of life.
98) He is truly great who is great in charity.
a. This statement is attributed to German/Dutch writer Thomas Kempis.
b. This statement talks about the importance of charity in human life.
c. Charity is not only in the form of material help for others, but also in the form of good advice to others.
d. Islam lays great emphasis on charity, as it benefits both the giver and taker.
99) Is democracy possible in third world countries?
a. Nothing is impossible in the world if one puts heart and mind to it.
b. Democracy needs time to evolve. In third world countries, democracy needs absence of external influences.
Hurdles to democracy should be curtailed.
c. Francis Fukuyama’s ideas about transitions to democracy mentioned in his book “Political Order and Political
Decay”, can be incorporated.
100) A yawn is a silent shout.
a. This statement is attributed to English writer and poet, G.K. Chesterton.
b. Yawn is a representation of exhaustion. It can be applied to physical as well as mental exhaustion.
c. A yawn can therefore show that a man is physically tired, or is lacking ideas while doing productive work.
101) Traveler, there is no path. The path is made by walking.
a. This statement is attributed to Spanish poet, Antonio Machado.
b. This talks about how travelers should explore new paths, instead of depending on others to define a path for
them. They should be fired up by the spirit of travel.
c. In interpreting this, travel can be taken synonymously with life; hence, one can imply that in order for social,
economic, and technological progress, man should not be afraid of making a new path for himself.
102) Conscience is the basis of justice.
a. People who have been empowered to enforce justice among the public, should refer to their conscience while
making decisions.
 b. The only fear a judge should have should be that of his conscience, and not of politicians or the establishment.
103) The so called custodians of human rights are guilty of violating the rights of backward nations.
a. Custodians of human rights can be used to refer to champions of liberal democracy, such as the United States,
Great Britain, France etc. It can also be used to refer to international organizations such as the United Nations.
b. These states often violate principles of human rights, especially in the domains of weak, developing states, in
order to advance their personal interests.
104) Capital is only the fruit of labour, and could never have existed if labour had not first existed.
a. This statement is attributed to American politician, Abraham Lincoln.
b. It implies that wealth (capital) is the product of the toil and labour, and would never had existed if the
concept of labour had not existed.
c. This statement can be linked to ideas of economic and social ideologies.
105) The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government.
a. This is a statement that is inscribed on the New York County Courthouse, and is taken from a letter by
Attorney General Edmund Randolph.
b. A government based on the justice can address the grievances and concerns of people.
c. A firm judiciary can keep checks and balances on all branches of the government.
106) The industrial society has reached its logical end.
a. This statement implies that no more industrialization is possible.
b. This is a debatable topic. While industrialization may have reached its maximum potential in developed
countries, there is still a lot to be done in the developing world.
107) An optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty; a pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
a. This statement is attributed to English politician, Sir Winston Churchill.
b. Talks about the principle of never giving up in the face of adversity, as even adversities can open pathways for
new opportunities.
108) In freedom lies the happiness of the individual.
a. The statement can said to be inspired from John Locke’s Pursuit of Happiness where he states that
happiness and individual liberties are interrelated.
b. Man loves freedom to move, speak, think, and express his feelings.
c. However, despite its importance, one should understand that there are some constraints necessary to
concepts of freedom. These can be due to social, ethical, political or moral constraints of the society.
109) Eye for eye and tooth for tooth has gone on too long in the world.
a. The original statement of Eye for an Eye is often attributed to Judaism. It follows the principle of pragmatism.
b. The statement implies that the principle of retaliation has gone on for too long. It can be applied to the the
spheres of politics, international relations, etc.
110) Conscience is God’s presence in man.
a. This statement is attributed to Swedish scientist and mystic, Emanuel Swedenborg.
b. Conscious people have a fear of God.
c. Islamic concept that Allah lives in the hearts, all one has to do is to make an effort to look for God.
d. In order for a moral society to prevail, everyone should be a slave of his/her conscience.
111) To be clever enough to get all that money, one must be stupid enough to want it.
a. This is a statement by British writer and poet, G.K. Chesterton.
b. Money should be a means to an end, not the end itself.
c. Needless pursuit of money leads to an absence of happiness.
d. This concept can be linked to the desire for endless supply of foreign aid, and its negative repercussions.
112) Help from within invigorate, help from without enfeebles.
a. This is statement by Scottish writer and government reformer, Samuel Smiles.
b. In order for sustainable progress, one should resort to the principles of self help.
c. Can be applied to the international sphere in the sense that countries should attempt to stand on their own
feet, instead of relying on external assistance.
113) The doctrine of chance is the Bible of fools.
a. It is the habit of fools to ascribe their success and failure to chance. This is a fatalist approach to life.
b. Man should rely on principles of hard work and perseverance in order to determine their fate, not chance.
114) Perseverance, the vey hinge of virtue.
a. Perseverance helps man overcome adversity. It can be considered as a virtue as faltering in face of adversity
has the tendency to lead man astray.
b. The ideas from Old Man and the Sea can be incorporated.
115) The face is an index of character.
a. The word index refers to table of contents.
b. It means that a person’s activities are reflected to his/her face.
c. Close association with people helps us in understanding them.
116) The world does not progress – it merely changes.
 a. This statement implies that progress and change are interlinked.
b. Progress and change take place hand in hand; one cannot happen without the other.
117) People living in glasshouses should not throw stones at others.
a. This statement implies that people who have faults in their personality, should not criticize others.
b. It implies that all humans have shortcomings, and no one is perfect. Hence, we should reflect upon ourselves
before attempting to correct others.
118) Charm strikes the sight but merit wins the soul.
a. This statement is taken from the works of English poet Alexander Pope.
b. Physical beauty can impress the sense, but the feeling is short-lived.
c. Ultimately, it is the ethics and character of a person that make a lasting impression.
119) Ignorance is bliss, knowledge worry.
a. Ignorance about a crisis make man care free. Awareness about it causes worry.
b. The statement doesn’t imply that one should prefer ignorance over knowledge/
120) Democracy fosters mediocrity.
a. In well developed democracies, democracy leads to meritocracy. This is because in such systems, people are
aware of their rights, and can make distinction between right and wrong.
b. Moreover, accountability is a element of a democracy, mediocrity will be weeded out.
121) We learn from history that we do not learn from history.
a. This statement is attributed to German philosopher Wilhelm Hegel.
b. Studying history shows that man repeats his mistakes. For instance, despite knowing the outcome of wars, we
still wage them for political gains.
122) Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talent and our expectation.
a. This statement is attributed to Maltese author, Edward de Bono.
b. When a person’s expectation’s exceed their talent, they tend to get unhappy.
c. People suffer from frustration because they have astronomic expectations.
d. This situation is more prevalent in corrupt countries.
123) Pleasure of reading.
a. This is a general topic that can be taken in any direction.
b. Can give examples based on the genre of books that appeals to a person.
124) Greed
a. Greed is the tendency of a person to want more and more in life, especially in terms of wealth and power.
b. A person may be immensely rich, but may still desire more and more.
c. Ambition gives birth to greed, hence once should take care to control their ambition so it can be prevented
from developing into uncontrollable greed.
d. All religions condemn greed, as it cuts at the roots of morality.
e. Can also give examples from politics, how politicians have a greed for power.
125) An ideal bureaucrat.
a. Should start by giving the definition of bureaucrat as an official in a system of governance. Can elaborate
about the three tiered system of government, i.e. executive, legislative, judiciary.
b. Some qualities are: honest, person of integrity, should uphold the rule of law, efficient, etc.
126) When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks.
a. This statement is taken from the play ‘Richard III’, written by William Shakespeare.
b. It implies that is a trait of wise men that they prepare accordingly when they sense danger approaching.
c. Can be applied to Pakistan in the context of political turmoil, economic shocks, and climate change.
127) Failures are the pillars of success.
a. Failure can dishearten men and put him in a state of depression.
b. Man should not fall into despair and analyze the causes of failure. Once the analysis is complete, he should
look at ways of improving his mistakes.
c. Can be applied to the context of failures and setbacks faced by Pakistan.
128) The golden age is not behind us but before us.
a. This statement is attributed to English writer William Shakespeare.
b. Golden age refers to a period of progress and advancement. Peace, prosperity, and stability are also a key
elements of golden ages.
c. In face of difficulties of present, man gets disillusioned about the prospects of the future and looks towards
the past.
d. Instead of romanticizing about the past, man should instead focus on the present and take it as the beginnings
of a golden age.
129) It is better to have fought and lost than to have never fought at all.
a. This statement is attributed to English poet Arthur Hugh Clough.
b. The statement means that man should fight adversity, and not give up in face of it. It is better to have tried
fighting adversity and failing, than to give up.
 c. Through courage and determination, man can overcome all obstacles. A look at events of history shows that
man has the potential to overcome whatever he desires.
130) Power without love is dangerous.
a. This statement is attributed to American activist, Martin Luther King Jr.
b. Power and authority have the tendency to intoxicate people, and forces them to suppress people and
perpetuate their tyrannical rule.
c. History of Islamic Caliphates shows that caliphs in exercising their power and authority, did not misuse them.
Rather, they used to exercise a lot of love and patience while ruling the people.
131) Rob Peter to pay Paul.
a. The statement applies to the times of the Roman Empire, and literally meant stealing taxes from St. Paul’s
church in London, and giving them to St. Peter’s church in Rome.
b. The statement implies that a man steals from one entity, to satisfy the needs and wants of other.
c. It is immoral to do so, even if one steals from the rich to give to the poor.
132) Traffic mess in big cities – causes, consequences and remedies.
a. This is a general topic and focuses on the problem of traffic in big cities.
b. The cause of traffic can be attributed to an increased number of cars on the streets, growing population, lack
of development of roads and other supporting infrastructure.
c. As a result, the roads get jammed, pollution increases, and frustration levels of people rise.
133) Dignity of labour.
a. This statement refers to the concept of dignity of labour. Labour of any kind should have dignity attached to
it.
b. In order for labour to get their due respect, the society should not be one that adopts a system of social castes.
c. Community that respect the dignity of labour, do not suffer from pride and haughtiness.
d. A glance at Islamic history shows us how the Prophet and Companions all used to participate in tasks that
involved manual labour, without and sense of shame of hesitation.
134) Modern times are not for poetry.
a. Modern time is characterized by the rise of materialism where people, irrespective of their social standing,
run after material gains.
b. The rich people do so to get even richer. The poor do so in order to get out of the trap of poverty.
c. In the struggle of materialism, man does not have time to look at, and appreciate nature and all its beauty.
135) Credit lost is a Venice glass broken that cannot be soldered.
a. The word credit is used to denote a man’s credibility. Venice glass symbolizes an expensive ornament.
b. The meaning of the phrase is that a person’s credibility is extremely valuable, and should be guarded and
protected at all times. Once a person loses their credibility, it is impossible to repair it.
136) It is more painful to do nothing than to do something
a. The statement implies that working hard may be a source of pain and discomfort for some people. However,
it is less painful than the pain of doing nothing.
b. Doing nothing and sitting idle is more painful as it leads to a decrease in a person’s prestige and social
standing.
137) When flatterers get together, the devil goes to dinner.
a. The statement implies that flatterers are companions of the devil. This is because the flatterers, like the devil,
bring about the fall of man.
b. This is because flatterers tempt the person being flattered into getting proud and arrogant. This can also
cause the person in question to get complacent and stop work hard.
c. Can be related to the client based political system in Pakistan, where everyone wishes to please the rulers.
138) Every eel hopes to become a whale.
a. Eel is a very small fish, by comparison, a whale is a huge animal.
b. The statement implies that even the smallest fish, want to feel important and hand out with the big fish.
c. This statement can be applied to the realm of international politics where nations, irrespective of size, are
vying to compete with one another.
139) The pot calls the kettle black.
a. Pot and kettle are both kitchen instruments used for making tea. In the process, both of them are equally
likely to get sooty.
b. The statement implies that a person with weaknesses in his character, should not have the audacity to
condemn or criticize others for the same shortcomings.
c. Instead, one should focus on working on his/her weaknesses.
140) Man can be destroyed but not defeated.
a. This statement is taken from the story ‘Old Man and the Sea’, written by Earnest Hemmingway.
b. The author points to the will power of the old man who doesn’t give despite going several months without
catching a fish.
c. The statement means that defeat pales into insignificance against the will of man.
141) The use and abuse of leisure.
a. Leisure is an important part of man’s life and is needed for a person to relax, and recharge himself.
b. However, the concept of leisure should not be abused. Excessive leisure creates dullness as well as a habit of
sitting idle.
c. The limited time that man does spend for leisure, should be spent on activities that are not immoral.
142) It is a great loss to man when he cannot laugh.
a. Laughter is one of the joys of life that can help man navigate through hard times.
b. If man was devoid of laughter, he would be forced to give into feelings of anguish and despair.
c. Laughter also helps in ejecting grief that is within a man.
143) Cleanliness next to Godliness
a. This phrase can be traced back to Babylonian and Hebrew religious tracts.
b. Cleanliness means to keep oneself away from dirt and filth. It includes the purification of external organs, as
well as the purification of one’s soul.
c. Islam attaches great importance to cleanliness. In this regard, man is supposed to keep his surroundings, and
his own body clean for all kinds of filth.
144) Unemployment of the educated.
a. Unemployment of educated people is one the rise. The number of jobseekers with advanced degrees is a
cause for great concern for the country.
b. In past, public sector used to be the provider of jobs. However, now there are more candidates then jobs.
145) Better weep with the wise than laugh with the fool.
a. Weeping and laughing are two different conditions of life. Weeping is a sign of sorrow and distress, and
laughter is a sign of joy and merry times.
b. The statement means that if one wishes to laugh and have a good time, it should not be in the company of
fools as they have no understanding about the ups and downs of life.
c. Weeping in the presence of wise men can still be beneficial as man can end up learning something from them.
146) A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
a. This statement is a comment on the people who do not work hard enough, or those who are not capable
enough. Such people when they fail, blame others for their failure.
b. It is important to remember that conditions have never been ideal for man to succeed. It is man’s own duty to
change the conditions and circumstances in a way that he is able to work to the best of his abilities.
147) While in Rome, do as the Romans do.
a. This statement is attributed to St. Ambrose, who originally said it in Latin.
b. Some people misunderstand this quote to mean that man should assimilate in the culture and customs of the
foreign land. He should still maintain his own identity, however, he should accept and respect the rules and
laws of the new land.
c. Hence, one should integrate, not assimilate.
148) Personality cult
a. Personality cult refers to hero-worship of an individual or an idea.
b. It is not wrong to learn from someone or idolize them, however one should not make it into a cult. This is
because cults do not have the space and freedom for criticism and disagreements.
149) We might not all be great men but we can become better man
a. Greatness in men can be one the basis of wealth, position, or power.
b. All men aspire to be great. Unfortunately, it is not in the realms of possibility that all of them end up being
called great men.
c. What is possible, however, is that all of them live their lives in a manner in which they turn into better men.
This means reflecting upon their selves to improve their shortcomings.
150) A man is only as rich as he is contented.
a. The statement implies that true richness is not measured by the amount of personal wealth and material a
man has, rather it is by the level of contentment the person has.
b. The acquisition of wealth does not necessarily result in a person being happy or satisfied. The news of full of
stories of people who are incredibly wealthy, but live miserable lives.
c. True richness is in contentment, which can only come if one is happy with what he has.
151) Good mind, good find
a. This statement talks about the impact of a person’s mindset on his perceptions.
b. It implies that good people will find good things, whether it is in other people, the environment, or the society
as a whole.
152) A bird in hand is worth two in the bush
a. This statement means that it is human nature to fantasize about what one can possibly have, instead of what
one actually has. Hence, it is important that man doesn’t lose what he already possesses, in attempts to gain
something that attracts him.
b. This can be applied to national policies towards development and foreign affairs.
153) A man’s best friend are his ten fingers.
a. This statement is attributed to the American clergyman Robert Collyer.
b. This statement aims to emphasis the power of hard work, provided man uses his hands for good.
c. The statement means that man has potential to go great things, for instance scientific discoveries, fighting
nature, etc. with his hands. Hence, hands can be considered as his best friends.
154) A pen becomes a clarion
a. The word clarion refers to a war trumpet. This statement implies that the pen has the potential to develop
into a clarion. That is to say that it can be used as a source of great power.
b. It can do so by creating awareness among the public and the polity. In the hands of the right people, it is a
great asset, and a powerful weapon.
155) Those who do not accept regret, do not accept life.
a. Regret is one of the key feelings of human beings. However, there are many people who are able to shun it to
one side.
b. Man should be a creature a conscience. This means that if he has wronged someone, or even himself, he
should acknowledge his mistake and regret his actions.
c. People who are unable to do so are running away from the realities of life.
156) The virtues of humility.
a. Humility means to willingly bow down when in a position of power and importance.
b. Scholars and wise men are not proud and arrogant, and they do not boast about their wisdom and
intelligence.
c. Modesty brings people close to their fellow beings, and it keeps the community united.
157) The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.
a. This statement is the title of a poem by William Ross Wallace.
b. This statement talks about the importance of women in the destinies of nations.
c. Rocking the cradle refers to the upbringing of a child. If the upbringing is proper, the child can grow up to
become a leader in any field that he is a part of.
158) Science without conscience is the ruin of nations.
a. This statement talks about the the importance of conscience in all walks of life, including science.
b. It is the conscience of man that develops into the conscience of science. Hence, men should make their
conscience the guiding principle of their lives.
c. This would help in preventing the abuse of scientific discoveries, as seen by incidents such as the use of the
atomic bomb by the United States on Japan.
159) For forms of government, let fools contest; whatever is administered best, is best.
a. This statement is taken from the works of English poet Alexander Pope.
b. The quotation sums up the importance of good governance under any system, be it democracy, socialism,
Marxism, etc.
c. The ultimate goal of governance is to ensure a just and equal system for all. The need is for a system that can
address the problems faced by all people and not a select few.
d. The primary goal should not be to bicker over the form of government, rather, focus on the type
implementing government properly.
160) Piety at public expense
a. This statement is a condemnation of the actions of state leaders and representatives who undertake religious
rituals at public expenditure.
b. A common example is that as soon as new president, prime minister or army chief is appointed, they
undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca. However, very rarely, if never, is this Umra at their personal expenses.
c. One of the acts of worship is that there should be an element of sacrifice involved from the individual. Hence,
one should perform such rituals on their personal expenses.
161) And whoso is saved from narrow-mindedness----such are they who are successful.
a. This statement is part of verse 9 from Surah Al-Hashr (59) of the Holy Quran
b. The term narrow-mindedness has also been interpreted as stinginess of the soul by some scholars of the
Quran.
c. The verse refers to the ill-effects of stinginess. This is because narrow-mindedness has the ability to cause
splits in societies, and bring about their downfall.
d. It is narrow-mindedness that makes it difficult for people to accept those from a different social class,
religion, sect, racial background, or ethnicity than them.
162) Act well your part, there all the honour lies.
a. This statement is taken from the works of English poet Alexander Pope.
b. This central idea of this statement is that in order to make the world the better place, one should do their
part, instead of criticizing others or the state for not doing enough.
c. The most honourable thing for man to do is serve those around him. Doing something honourable is not
restricted to a profession, or sphere of life. One can be honourable in whatever walk of life they’re in.
163) Is consistency a virtue?
a. Consistency refers to the nature of one being persistent in their words and actions.
b. The aspect of consistency can also be applied to nations in terms of their domestic and foreign policies.
c. However, before being consistent, one should establish the morality actions or words.
164) Moral depravity is the root cause of poverty
a. Poverty refers to a socio-economic condition where a person in unable to meet their basic needs. Moral
depravity is a personal condition, based on the person’s traits, actions, and words.
b. While there may be a link between the two, it is difficult to say they are completely correlated. This is because
poverty can often stem from several aspects which are outside a person’s control, and hence cannot directly
be linked to the person.
165) Youth, a period of strain and stress.
a. Stress and strain refer to hard work and toil. This can be both in physical and emotional sense.
b. As a person enters, his life is marked by hopes, aspirations, frustrations, and ambitions.
c. Moreover, it is also the period when people want to fulfill ambitions, hence they push themselves.
166) Peace the essential message of our religion.
a. Look up the chapter on Islam a religion of peace in the Islamiat booklet.
167) Time management is the keynote of success.
a. Time management is the technique that allows a person to make best use of their time.
b. This principle applies to both individuals and societies in general.
c. People who manage their time well, are able to fulfill their objectives and aspirations.
168) Dreams of future rely on the work plan of today.
a. Work plan of today refers to the hard work done in present
b. It is important to remember that success, material or otherwise, doesn’t come overnight.
c. In order to have a bright future, people and communities should plan ahead and work in a manner that would
make the realization of their dreams possible.
169) Materialism is the death of spirituality.
a. Materialism is the endless pursuit of money and material objects. Spirituality refers to indulging in activities
that please the spirit and bring a person closer to the Creator
b. Spirituality cannot flourish in the presence of excessive materialism. Islam also teaches us to adopt a balanced
approach.
170) The world is too much with us; late and soon ….. We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon.
a. These verses are taken from the poem ‘The World is Too Much With Us’, written by William
Wordsworth.
b. These verses refer to man’s obsession with material things.
c. In the blind chase of wealth, man tends to ignore the magnificence of nature, and its beauty and elements.
d. The world we live in is dominated by materialism. The poor and trapped in the trap of poverty. The rich want
to make more and more wealth. Hence, both are unable to enjoy the blessings of nature.
171) An educated man is not necessarily a cultured man.
a. This can be explained by the definition of education. Most people interpret education as the degree or
diploma they receive upon completing coursework.
b. In reality, education is what makes a man cultured, and teaches him how to distinguish between right and
wrong.
c. Hence, if education doesn’t result in a person being cultured, it has failed its purpose.
172) A rolling stone gathers no moss.
a. This statement is attributed to the Latin writer, Publilius Syrus.
b. This statement talks about the importance of settling down in life. It can also be interpreted as the importance
of remaining steadfast and consistent in personal endeavours.
c. People who keep changing jobs, or careers, are never able to progress in life.
d. Similarly, people who don’t remain consistent in their goals and ambitions are also unable to achieve wealth
and prosperity.
e. Hence, the word moss here means wealth, peace, prosperity, etc.
173) Lack of discipline – a national disaster
a. Discipline means living your life according to certain rules and dictums. A disciplined life is one that has
elements of structure and order.
b. Lack of discipline results in a person procrastinating, or failing to make their potential impact.
c. In terms on the nation, lack of discipline can be applied to the politics, economy, education, social sector, and
aspects of governance.
174) Nothing is useless or low; each thing in its place is best. And what seems but idle show; strengthens and supports the
rest.
a. This statement is attributed to American poet, Henry Wordsworth Longfellow.
b. The core idea behind this statement is that God has created nothing that is useless.
 c. The concept can also be applied in our social lives, meaning that no individual is useless, and everyone
eventually plays their role in society.
175) To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
a. This statement is attributed to American politician, George Washington.
b. The meaning of this statement is that all nations, irrespective of their size, should be prepared for war,
meaning they should always have measures for the safeguard of their defense.
c. Once states do that, other nation will be afraid to attack them, hence preserving peace.
d. This statement can be linked to the concept of deterrence in International Relations, especially the concept of
nuclear deterrence.
176) Are we happier than our forefathers?
a. This is an argumentative topic, leaving it open for interpretation.
b. One way of going about it can be talking about the materialism that plagues the current generation. Despite
having more material wealth, most people today feel unhappy and discontented. As a comparison, people of
the older generations had a higher level of personal contentment and satisfaction.