QUESTION 2(a)
GS4
10 marks
The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Discuss the ethical meaning of this statement.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Explain why forgiveness is an attribute of the strong, not the weak.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Meaning: forgiving needs inner strength, self-control and moral courage; the weak react from fear or revenge, or 'forgive' only out of helplessness≈30 words
- 2Forgiveness vs condoning: it does not deny justice or accountability≈30 words
- 3Examples: Mandela and South Africa's reconciliation; Gladys Staines forgiving her husband's killers≈30 words
- 4In public service: avoiding vindictiveness against critics, restorative approaches≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
MeaningWhy strength is neededDifference from weaknessExamplesRelevance to administration
Where marks usually go
- Confusing forgiveness with impunity
- No real-life example
Draw this
- Contrast chart: weak response vs strong response
Value addition
- Quote'The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.' - Mahatma Gandhi.Gandhi
- ExampleGladys Staines publicly forgave those who burned her husband Graham Staines and two sons in Odisha in 1999.1999
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- G Sanjana · AIR 55 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.