My Dear Son,

I advised you last week to fall in line, so far as you can, with the wishes and inclinations of those with whom you associate. However, I trust you understood that compliance should never go so far, as to involve the slightest sacrifice of your moral principles. When carried to this extent, it becomes an instance of weak cowardice.

One of the greatest dangers to which a young man like you are exposed upon their entry to campus, is that which arises from your readiness to be swayed by the persuasion of your companions. You cannot bear to stand out against the example of those among whom you live. Unwittingly you are carried along by the stream, and led into conduct, of which, in your conscience, you disapprove.

Please do not be guilty of such weakness. Avoid singularity, whenever it can be avoided with innocence: but where the path of duty is clear, let no example or persuasion stimulate you to swerve from it. Keep ever impressed upon your mind the word of advice in Dhammapada, 'Do not keep company with evil friends or those who are mean. Associate with the good and bold'.

Never allow yourself to be laughed out of what is right. Never be ashamed of adhering to what you know to be your moral duty. In your steady adherence to the dictates of conscience, you will always find some who will respect you for it; or, even if you should stand alone, you will be supported by the testimony of your own heart.

Perhaps a few 'radical' elements may devise schemes of irregular, sensual gratification, such as binge parties. Perhaps few stupid people, whose intellects are of such a stamp, as to render them unsuitable subjects for university discipline, will design some plan of resistance to the University authorities. Wishing for the protection of numbers, they will try to persuade you to join them.

Think carefully, son. As a young undergraduate, you should feel very indignant if not treated by deans and tutors, as a honourable young man; but you have no right to expect to be so treated, if you lower yourself to adopt the practices of a mischievous or a truant school boy.

Perhaps, my dear son, you may think that I have all these weeks seeking to lay, a phantom of my own raising; that I have been making mole-hills into mountains; or, like Don Quixote, turning wind-mills into giants: but, in my long University life, I have seen so many instances of the silly behaviour of which I have been speaking, that I wish to put you on your guard against it.

True manliness consists in adhering to what you think to be right. In keeping steadily to the path of duty, notwithstanding the ridicule of your associates, there is more proper spirit and moral courage, than in braving the rebuke or the impositions of a dean.

Till next week,

Your loving Thaththa