UP Board Solutions Class 12 English Chapter 1 Character of a Happy Life

About the Poet

Sir Henry Wotton was born in 1568. He was educated at Winchester, Oxford, Middle Temple, etc. He became agent and secretary to the Earl of Essex. He was the ambassador at the court of Venice. He served various other diplomatic missions.

About the Poem

In this poem the poet describes the qualities necessary for a truly happy man, e.g. independence, honesty, truthfulness, straight forwardness, clear heartedness, etc. He should also pray to God daily.

Central Ideas [2012, 13, 15, 17, 18]

In this didactic poem Sir Henry Wotton describes the character of a happy man. He should be independent, honest and truthful. He should be free from jealousy, ill will and worldly anxieties. He should be very careful of flatterers and rumours. He should

Explanations (With Meanings & Hindi Translation)

Question 1. Explain the following stanza with reference to the context:
How happy is he born or taught,
That serveth not another’s will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill !
Answer:
Word-meanings: taught = सिखाया advised; serveth (serves) = कार्य करना act; will = इच्छा wish; armour = कवच weapon for protection; honest thought = शुद्ध विचार noble ideas या honesty; utmost = सबसे बड़ी greatest; skill = गुण quality.

Hindi Translation: वह मनुष्य कितना प्रसन्न होगा जो दूसरे व्यक्ति के अधीन नहीं है अर्थात् आत्म-निर्भर व्यक्ति बहुत प्रसन्न होता है। यह गुण उसमें जन्मजात भी हो सकता है और सिखाया भी जा सकता है। उस व्यक्ति की सुरक्षा का हथियार उसके शुद्ध विचार तथा ईमानदारी है और केवल सत्य ही उसका सबसे बड़ा गुण होता है।

Reference: This stanza refers to the famous poem ‘Character of a Happy Life’ composed by Sir Henry Wotton.

Context: In these lines the poet describes the character of a happy man. He points out some of the essential qualities for a happy life. He advises us to be independent and true if we want to be happy.

Explanation: In this stanza the poet points out the qualities of a happy man. He says that happy man is independent in his thinking and action. He is self-dependent. Either he has this quality by birth or he has been taught to have it. He is always honest and has no ill will for anybody. So he does not need any other weapon for his protection. The greatest quality of his character is only truth. For this quality he is honoured. Thus the man who has these qualities will be happy beyond expectation. He lives a life of complete peace and contentment.

Hindi Explanation: इस पद्यांश में कवि एक प्रसन्न व्यक्ति के लक्षण बताता है। वह बताता है कि एक प्रसन्न व्यक्ति अपने विचारों तथा कार्यों में स्वतन्त्र होता है। वह आत्म-निर्भर होता है। या तो उसमें यह गुण जन्मजात होता है या इसे प्राप्त करने के लिए उसे सिखाया जाता है। वह सदा ईमानदार होता है और किसी के प्रति दुर्भावना नहीं रखता। इसलिए उसे अपनी सुरक्षा के लिए...
In simple words: A happy man is independent, honest, and always speaks the truth. He does not need weapons because his honesty and truthfulness protect him.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a stanza, always write the Reference, Context, and Explanation clearly under separate sub-headings to score full marks.

Question (2). Whose passions not his masters are, Whose soul is still prepared for death; Untied unto the world with care, Of princely love or vulgar breath.
Answer:
Word-meanings:
• Passions = Strong feelings of love, anger, hate, etc. (मन की प्रबल भावनाएँ)
• Masters = Guide (पथ-प्रदर्शक, स्वामी)
• Still = Always (सदा)
• Untied = Free from (स्वतन्त्र)
• Princely love = Love of a prince (राजकुमारों का प्यार)
• Vulgar breath = Opinion or criticism of the common people (सामान्य लोगों का मत या आलोचना)

Context: In these lines, the poet describes the character of a happy man. He is free and self-dependent. He is honest and truthful. He has no ill will for anybody.

Explanation: In this stanza, the poet says that a man who is calm and balanced is always happy. He is not guided or controlled by the strong feelings of heart, e.g. anger, hate, love, etc. He leads a simple and honest life. He is always free from worldly anxieties and worries. So he is never afraid even of death. He neither likes flattery nor does he mind public criticism. Thus, he remains completely unaffected by the opinions of others. So he is always happy.
In simple words: A happy man is someone who controls his emotions instead of letting them control him. He does not fear death and does not care about what others say or think about him.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining poetry stanzas, always write the context first to show the examiner you understand the central theme of the poem.

Question (3). Who hath his life from rumours freed, Whose conscience is his strong retreat; Whose state can neither flatterers feed. Nor ruin make oppressors great;
Answer:
Word-meanings:
• Hath = Has (रखना)
• Rumours = False news (अफवाहें)
• Conscience = Inner self (अन्तःकरण)
• Retreat = Place of shelter (शरण देने का स्थान)
• State = Position, status (स्थिति)
• Flatterers = One who praises too much (चापलूस व्यक्ति)
• Ruin = Destroy (नष्ट करना)
• Feed = Satisfy (सन्तुष्ट करना)
• Oppressors = Those who treat others cruelly (दमनकर्ता)

Explanation: A truly happy man keeps himself away from rumors and false news. He always listens to his inner conscience, which acts as his safest shelter and guide in times of trouble. He is not influenced by flatterers who try to please him with false praise, nor can cruel oppressors break his spirit or make themselves great by ruining him. He stands firm in his moral values and integrity.
In simple words: A happy person does not believe in rumors and always follows his inner voice. He is neither fooled by fake praise nor scared of cruel people who try to harm him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize key word-meanings like 'conscience' and 'retreat' as they are frequently asked in vocabulary-based questions.

(वह मनुष्य प्रसन्न होता है जो अफवाहों से प्रभावित न हो, जिसकी अन्तरात्मा ही सबसे शक्तिशाली शरणस्थल हो अर्थात् जो अपनी अन्तरात्मा की आवाज का दृढ़ता से पालन करता हो, जो चापलूस व्यक्तियों की झूठी प्रशंसा से सन्तुष्ट न हो, बड़े-बड़े दमनकर्ता भी ऐसे व्यक्ति को कोई हानि नहीं पहुँचा सकते। ऐसा व्यक्ति सदा प्रसन्न रहता है।)

Context: The poet says that a calm and balanced man is always happy. He is free from worldly anxieties and worries. He does not fear from death and is very careful of flatterers.

Explanation: In this stanza the poet says that a happy man does not believe in rumours. He is always guided by his conscience and follows its voice strictly. He does not like to keep company with flatterers. He is not influenced by his false praise. So he is never proud of himself. Even a cruel and unjust man cannot give him any harm. Such a man leads a happy and ideal life.

(इस पद्यांश में कवि कहता है कि एक प्रसन्न व्यक्ति अफवाहों में विश्वास नहीं करता। वह सदा अपनी अन्तरात्मा से ही निर्देशित होता है और उसकी आवाज का पूर्ण रूप से अनुसरण करता है। वह चापलूस व्यक्तियों की संगति में रहना पसंद नहीं करता। वह अपनी झूठी प्रशंसा से भी प्रभावित नहीं होता। इसलिए वह कभी भी अपने ऊपर गर्व नहीं करता। एक अत्याचारी तथा अन्यायी व्यक्ति भी उसे हानि नहीं पहुँचा सकता। ऐसा व्यक्ति एक आदर्श और प्रसन्न जीवन व्यतीत करता है।)

Stanza 4
Who envies none whom chance doth raise Nor vice;
who never understood How deepest wounds are given with praise;
Nor rules of state, but rules of good;

Word-Meanings:
envies = ईर्ष्या करना (to have ill will against anybody)
chance = अवसर, भाग्य (luck)
raise = उन्नति करना, ऊपर उठाना (lift up)
vice = बुराई (evil)
deepest = अत्यधिक (very much)
wounds = कष्ट (pains)
state = राज्य, सरकार (government)
good = सदाचार (good conduct)

(वह व्यक्ति कितना प्रसन्न होगा जो किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति से ईर्ष्या नहीं करता जिसकी संयोग से या सौभाग्य से उन्नति हुई हो और जो किसी के विरुद्ध कोई बुरी भावना न रखता हो। इस व्यक्ति को यह समझ लेना चाहिए कि झूठी प्रशंसा के घाव बहुत गहरे होते हैं अर्थात् झूठी प्रशंसा से ऐसा कष्ट होता है जो काफी समय तक भी दूर नहीं होता। एक प्रसन्न व्यक्ति सरकार के नियमों के प्रति इतना वफादार नहीं होता जितना सदाचार के नियमों के प्रति।)

Context: The poet describes the character of a happy man. A happy man is always free, honest and truthful. He is careful of flatterers. He is never proud of himself.

Explanation: In this stanza the poet says that some people may progress in their life by chance or by luck. But a good man is never envious of them. So he is a happy man. He understands that false praise causes deep wounds which cannot be healed up. So a man who is careful of his praise is always happy. Everybody obeys the rules of government by force. But a good man follows the rules of good conduct also. He gives more importance to the rules of good conduct and has no fear of any legal action to be taken against him. He knows well that good conduct is above all things.

(इस पद्यांश में कवि कहता है कि कुछ व्यक्ति अपने जीवन में अवसर का लाभ उठाकर या भाग्य के कारण उन्नति कर सकते हैं। किन्तु एक भला मनुष्य ऐसे व्यक्तियों से कभी ईर्ष्या नहीं करता। इसलिए वह एक प्रसन्न व्यक्ति होता है। वह समझता है कि झूठी प्रशंसा से जख्म गहरे हो जाते हैं जिन्हें भरा नहीं जा सकता। इसलिए ऐसा व्यक्ति जो अपनी प्रशंसा के...)

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing the explanation for Stanza 4, make sure to emphasize that a happy man values moral integrity ('rules of good') far above political or state laws ('rules of state').

Question (5). Who God doth late and early pray More of His grace than gifts to lend; Who entertains the harmless day With a well-chosen book or friend; [2010]
Answer:
Word-meanings: doth = करता है does; late and early = देर-सवेर, कभी भी whenever one gets time; grace = ईश्वरीय गुण godly goodness; gifts = भगवान् के दिए हुए सुख एवं आनन्द blessings and happiness given by God; entertains = आनन्द लेता है enjoys; harmless day = पूरे दिन बिना किसी को हानि पहुँचाए without giving any harm to anybody.

(वह व्यक्ति कितना प्रसन्न होगा जो शाम-सवेरे कभी भी भगवान् की प्रार्थना करता है। ऐसे व्यक्ति को भगवान् की प्रार्थना ईश्वरीय गुण प्राप्त करने के लिए करनी चाहिए, न कि जीवन के आनन्द या अन्य के लिए। ऐसे व्यक्ति को पूरे दिन अर्थात् किसी भी समय किसी भी व्यक्ति को कष्ट नहीं पहुँचाना चाहिए, बल्कि उसे अपना समय अच्छी पुस्तक पढ़ने में या अच्छे मित्र की संगति में व्यतीत करना चाहिए।)

Context: The poet says that a happy man is never envious of the progress of others. He always follows the rules of good conduct without any fear of any action by the government.

Explanation: In this stanza the poet advises to pray to God daily whenever we get time. It is very necessary to lead a happy life. We should not pray to God for worldly gains but for his blessings and mercy. A man should not give harm of any kind to anybody at any time in the whole day. But he should pass his time either in reading good books or in the company of religious and pious people. Such a man will lead a very happy life.

(इस पद्यांश में कवि हमें शिक्षा देता है कि जब भी समय मिले, हमें भगवान् की प्रार्थना करनी चाहिए। एक प्रसन्न जीवन बिताने के लिए यह अत्यन्त आवश्यक है। हमें भगवान् से सांसारिक लाभ के लिए प्रार्थना नहीं करनी चाहिए, बल्कि उसके आशीर्वाद तथा दया के लिए प्रार्थना करनी चाहिए। किसी भी व्यक्ति को पूरे दिन में किसी भी समय किसी अन्य व्यक्ति को किसी भी प्रकार की हानि नहीं पहुँचानी चाहिए। बल्कि उसे अपना समय या तो अच्छी पुस्तकों को पढ़ने में बिताना चाहिए या धार्मिक तथा पवित्र व्यक्तियों की संगति में। ऐसा व्यक्ति आनन्दमय जीवन व्यतीत करेगा।)

Comments: A happy man is the devotee of God.
In simple words: A truly happy person prays to God for love and blessings rather than material gifts, and spends their free time reading good books or being with good friends without harming anyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining this stanza, highlight the contrast between praying for 'grace' versus 'gifts' to show the character of a truly righteous person.

Question (6). This man is free from servile bands Of hope to rise, or fear to fail; Lord of himself, though not of lands; And having nothing, he hath all. [2011, 13, 16, 17, 18]
Answer:
Word-meanings: servile = दासतापूर्ण like slaves; bands = बन्धन; rise = उन्नति progress; fall = अवनति या असफलता failure.

(एक सुखी मनुष्य सभी प्रकार के विचारों एवं भावनाओं से स्वतन्त्र होता है। वह उनका दास नहीं होता अर्थात् उसे न तो उन्नति या सफलता की इच्छा होती है और न अवनति या असफलता का भय। वह भले ही धन या धरती का स्वामी न हो फिर भी वह अपना स्वामी स्वयं होता है। उसके पास कुछ भी न होते हुए सब कुछ होता है अर्थात् स्वतन्त्र विचार, आत्म सम्मान एवं आत्म-सन्तोष ऐसे गुण हैं जो उसके जीवन को पूर्ण सुखी बनाते हैं।)
In simple words: A happy man is not a slave to his desires or fears of success and failure. Even if he does not own worldly wealth, he is the master of his own mind and possesses true self-contentment.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the oxymoron 'having nothing, he hath all' clearly, as it is a favorite literary device that examiners look for in this stanza.

Context

In these lines the poet describes the character of a happy life. He says that honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity are the main qualities of a happy man. The man who passes his time in reading good books or in the company of good people is always happy.

Explanation

In this concluding stanza the poet advises us to lead an independent life. A man should not depend upon others. He should be free from all hopes and fears. He should not be overjoyed in his achievements and should not be disconsolate in failures. Although he may not have worldly riches yet he is the master of himself. Thus independence, self-respect and contentment are the merits that make a man happy.

(इस अन्ति म पद्यां शद्यां में कवि हमें स्वतन्त्र जी वन व्यती त करने की शि क्षा देतादे ता है। कि सी भी व्यक्ति को दूसदू रों पर नि र्भर नहीं रहना चा हि ए। उसे सभी प्रका र की आशा ओं तथा भय से मुक्मुत हो ना चा हि ए। उसे अपनी उपलब्धि यों पर आवश्यकता से अधि क प्रसन्न नहीं हो ना चा हि ए और असफलता ओं पर नि रा श नहीं हो ना चा हि ए। हो सकता है कि उसके पा स सां सासां सारि क धन-दौ लत न हो फि र भी वह स्वयं अपना स्वा मी हो ता है। इस प्रका र स्वतन्त्रता , आत्म-सम्मा न और सन्तुष्टितुष्टि ऐसे गुणगु हैं जो कि सी मनुष्नुय को प्रसन्न बना ते हैं। )

Comments

The poet has used oxymoron figure of speech in this stanza.