The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.
~Rabindranath Tagore
Society flourishes when men plant seeds and then nurture them to grow into a tree under which they wouldn’t enjoy the shade. That is the best legacy and this is the meaning of leaving legacy.
This phrase is a poetic way of describing a selfless, long-term vision for the betterment of society. It suggests that a thriving community is built when individuals—here referred to as “men,” though it can apply broadly—take actions today that benefit future generations, even if they themselves won’t live to see or enjoy the results.
The “seeds” symbolize the initial efforts, ideas, or investments—whether they’re literal, like planting trees, or figurative, like creating systems, raising families, or fostering values. “Nurturing them to grow into a tree” represents the care, dedication, and time put into ensuring those efforts develop into something strong and lasting. The “tree” stands for the eventual outcome: a source of shade, shelter, or sustenance—something valuable and enduring for society.
The key part, “under which they wouldn’t enjoy the shade,” highlights the selflessness of the act. It means those who plant and tend the seeds won’t personally reap the rewards because the tree takes years to mature, perhaps beyond their lifetime. Yet, their work ensures that others—future generations—can find comfort and prosperity under its branches.
In essence, it’s about legacy: the idea that true societal progress comes from people who prioritize the future over immediate personal gain, leaving behind something greater than themselves. It’s a call to think beyond the present and invest in a world we might never fully experience ourselves.
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