The Importance of Cleanliness
Cleanliness means keeping one’s body, dress, surroundings and mind clean. Cleanliness is one’s precious possession.
Cleanliness of body is necessary for physical health. Dirt is the mother of diseases. A person who never washes himself, who wears dirty clothes and keeps his house and surroundings dirty, will soon lose health. Disease germs breed and grow and multiply in dirt. People who are not clean are sure to get dangerous and sometimes even fatal diseases. Contagious diseases are caused due to the dirty habits and surroundings of the people. Regular washing of hands and face, frequent bathing and wearing of clean clothes are conditions of good health.
Cleanliness is also necessary for self-respect and for getting respect from others. A man who doesn’t wash and wears dirty clothes, cannot feel proud of himself. Other people also cannot respect him. A person who is not clean and neat cannot mix with a descent society. It is an insult to respectable people to expect them to be friendly with a man who is never clean.
Cleanliness makes a person popular. It is a sign of noble souls. A man of clean habits loves God and others. The character of a man without cleanliness cannot be standardized. Today, there are civil laws to promote cleanliness. One has to acquire clean habits from childhood onwards. The wearing of clean dress adds charm to one’s personality.