A. R. Symonds

“ It is quite allowable that you should find gratification in the distinction conferred upon you this day, and that you should regale yourselves in the walks of literature to which you have been introduced; but you will fall altogether short of the true object of the one and of the happiness of the other, if your aims and your desires terminate in self. ”

“ Note then, to what, by your own deliberate act and declaration, you this day stand pledged, and therein see what is your true dignity, your proper responsibility as graduates of this University. You are pledged to eschew every everything low and mean and unworthy; you are pledged to aim at all that is high and honorable and befitting; you are pledged to use your talents, learning, and influence for the repression of ignorance and evil and for the diffusion of knowledge and virtue; you are pledged to maintain and promote the peace of the Realm and obedience to the Powers that be ”

“ If ever this great Country is to be pervaded with the literature of the West, it must be through the medium of educated Hindoos. All that we can do is to form here and there certain large reservoirs of the waters of knowledge ”

“ Remember this, I pray you, that hence-forth you are members of a Body Corporate; the honour of which is committed to your keeping. If one member suffer all the members suffer with it; if you obtain honor, it receives honor in your persons; if you incur disgrace, it sustains discredit also. Bear in mind that the eyes of your fellow-men will be upon you; and that the question will be asked, "Are these graduates of the Madras University better men, abler men, more efficient men than others?" ”

“ For this end may strength and wisdom be imparted to you; may the study of truth lead you into all truth; may the blessing which maketh rich and addeth no sorrow rest abundantly upon you and your occupations. ”

“ I am aware that, on many important points, most of you hold not the same creed with myself; but I have not had intercourse for so many years with intelligent Hindoos, without knowing that with myself they acknowledge a God, all-wise, all-powerful, all-good, knowing all things, seeing all things. ”

“ Such artifices have too often been employed. The temptation to use them may be strong, but you must arm yourselves with vigorous and manly principle to resist it. Shun, as injurious to others and degrading to yourself, all unworthy, tricky, pettifogging action, and by the purity and straightforwardness of your own practice, rebuke and discountenance such action in others. We send You forth into the arena of your profession to be champions of truth and equity and righteousness ”

“ Aim to be good, aim to be useful, and so not only shall your Alma Mater be honoured in her sons and be compensated for her travail in bringing them forth, but the men of your generation shall receive benefit through you, and rejoice that such as you were raised up among them. ”

“ To advert to one instance only in illustration. The defence of a criminal may devolve upon you ; you may become aware that he is guilty of the offence with which he is charged, you are not bound, therefore, to abandon his defence ”