Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is harmony in

Hear, O seeker of wisdom, the words of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, a man of science, a dreamer of nations, and a servant of the people. He declared: “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is harmony in the house; when there is harmony in the house, there is order in the nation; when there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” In this sacred chain of thought lies a vision both simple and profound: that the destiny of the world begins not in palaces or parliaments, but in the hidden chambers of the human heart.

What is righteousness in the heart but the seed of all virtue? It is the quiet resolve to live justly, to act with compassion, to choose truth over deceit. When the heart is righteous, it becomes like a fountain, sending forth streams of integrity into all that one touches. From that heart flows harmony in the house, for the family becomes a reflection of its spirit. Anger dissolves, selfishness is subdued, and in its place arises respect, kindness, and unity. Thus, the heart is the root, the house the tree, the nation the forest, and the world the earth upon which it all grows.

History gives us luminous examples of this chain. Consider the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who bore in his heart the flame of righteousness. Though frail in body, he ruled himself with discipline and humility, and in his home lived simply. From that home radiated harmony, and from harmony arose a movement that stirred the conscience of a nation. India, once chained by foreign rule, found in his righteousness the seed of order, and from that order came a vision of peace that inspired the world. One man’s heart became the birthplace of a revolution—not of swords, but of truth and nonviolence.

Yet see also the opposite. When the heart is corrupted, the house becomes divided. Families torn by greed, bitterness, or deceit cannot stand united. Such division spreads like fire into the nation, birthing disorder, strife, and injustice. And when nations are torn within, the world cannot find peace. The wars of history, the collapse of empires, the cries of the innocent—all trace their roots back to hearts devoid of righteousness, houses void of harmony, nations bereft of order. Thus, the smallest failing in the heart becomes the greatest tragedy in the world.

O children of the future, learn this well: you are not powerless. Do not think peace is crafted only in the chambers of kings or presidents. Peace begins with you. If your heart is righteous, your house will know harmony. If your house is harmonious, your nation will grow in order. And when nations are ordered in justice, the world will indeed taste peace. Each soul is a builder of eternity, each heart a foundation stone of destiny.

What then shall you do? Cultivate righteousness in your heart through honesty, through compassion, through daily acts of discipline. Guard against envy, cruelty, and deceit, for these are weeds that choke harmony. In your household, practice forgiveness, patience, and kindness, so that your home becomes a sanctuary of peace. In your community, strive for justice and fairness, that your nation may be ordered in truth. And with every choice, remember that the ripple of your life may one day touch the farthest shore of the world.

Practical steps are these: begin each morning with reflection, asking whether your heart is aligned with what is good. Speak gently to those in your home, listen with patience, honor their dignity. Extend your care beyond the walls of your house into your community, for the nation is but the collection of homes, and the world but the union of nations. Thus, through small deeds faithfully done, you contribute to the great chain that stretches from your own heart to the peace of the world.

So carry this teaching as a sacred inheritance: from righteousness flows harmony, from harmony order, from order peace. Tend first to the garden of your heart, for in its flourishing lies the hope of nations, and in its fragrance, the promise of a world at peace.