Families of Great Men

There are people who inspire many people of the world: Those who left great achievements, those who realized their dreams after overcoming difficulties, and those who constantly researched and became successful in their fields. Their words and life stories about overcoming trials are passed down from generation to generation and sometimes become the role models for others.

These great men could make such great achievements because they too were positively influenced by some others like their respected teachers and close friends. But most of all, their family members trusted and supported them to the end. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent,” it is no exaggeration to say that a great person with good character is made at home through the family’s support and encouragement. It is because the family’s infinite trust and encouragement brings forth strength and courage that cannot be replaced by anything else.

A father who taught tolerance

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869–1948) is also known as Mahatma (meaning “great soul”) by his old friend Rabindranath Tagore. Peace activist Gandhi is respected not only by the Indian people but by the world. His nonviolence had a profound effect on later human rights activists, including Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King.

He was born into a merchant family as the youngest child in Porbandar, Gujarat, West India. Having a good relationship with his father, he wholeheartedly took care of his sick father, massaging his limbs when he returned from school. He also had a time of deviation like other adolescent boys.

When Gandhi was fifteen years old, he began to smoke out of curiosity behind his parents’ back and gradually became addicted to smoking. His house was relatively wealthy but the young boy did not have enough money to buy cigarettes. When he ran out of money, he even stole a piece of gold from his brother’s bracelet to buy cigarettes.

Though he failed to overcome the temporary temptation and stole it, he regretted bitterly. He wrote down his faults one by one and barely handed the letter to his father in bed. He did so at the thought he would feel light-hearted after being severely rebuked by his father.

Contrary to his anticipation that his father would be greatly angry, his father said nothing after reading it, but just shed tears quietly. His father tore up the letter after a pause in tears. It was a gesture of forgiveness.

The tears his father shed that day impressed Gandhi, and he vowed not to deceive others again. Later, he said, “My father changed me and saved me with his sublime tolerance.” It remained deep in his heart and guided him to the way of a great leader.

The brother who trusted and supported his older brother to the end

A genius, the master of impressionist painters, a great painter who lived like a flame, a magician of intense colors, an immortal painter, etc. Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853–1890) is followed by these many descriptions. It is evidence that he is receiving much attention and love from many people.

Speaking of Gogh, we cannot help but mention his younger brother Theo van Gogh. Born as the eldest of three sons and three daughters in a priestly family in Brabant, the Netherlands, Vincent was very sensitive and fiery from his boyhood that he couldn’t get along with his friends. His father, who was strict and conservative, had high hopes for his first son and let him have good education. However, Vincent did not live up to his father’s expectations, but gradually became farther away from his family as time passed. However, his four-year-younger brother Theo was an exception. He was particularly friendly with Vincent since childhood. He was not simply a brother, but a friend, colleague, and devoted supporter of Vincent.

Contrary to the brilliant nicknames, Vincent was a misfortunate painter who was not recognized by painters in his life. He began painting in earnest at the late age of 27 after a series of occupations including gallery staff, teaching assistant at church, and bookstore clerk. He left about 900 oil paintings and 1,100 drawings for about ten years until he died at the age of 37. It was all thanks to the help of Theo that he could stir up his enthusiasm in a short period of time and leave gem-like paintings.

Recognizing Vincent’s art sense early, Theo spared no support physically and mentally. He sent his living expenses so that Vincent could concentrate on paintings, and became his haven, communicating with his older brother by letter. Vincent was able to open up his mind to Theo as much as he could. When he was frustrated and skeptical, Theo comforted and encouraged him, saying that he would someday succeed. There are more than 700 letters sent and received between the two.

“If there is some good in my work, consider half of it your own creation.” Vincent’s letter to Theo in April 1885

“I think we can wait patiently for success to come; you will surely live to see it. It is necessary to get well known without obtruding oneself, and it will come of its own accord by reason of your beautiful pictures.” Theo’s letter to Vincent in January 1890

Theo had been the only support for his work when Vincent was going through difficulties like disregard of the world, poverty, and mental illness. Without his brother Theo, Vincent could not have remained a famous painter.

An independence activist who raised another independence activist

During the Japanese colonial period in Korea, a man was taken to the Japanese military and sentenced to 17 years in prison for acting in a secret society. The mother, who visited him after he had gone through severe torture and imprisonment, showed no sign of sadness but rather said, “I am happier than seeing you become a ruler of Gyeonggi Province.” This is the anecdote about Kim Gu and his mother Gwak Nak-won.

Kim Gu (1876–1949) carried out the civilian army activity and the enlightenment campaign. He fled to Shanghai, China, to lead the provisional government of the Republic of Korea right after the 1919 Independence Movement. He devoted himself to the independence of Korea even in difficulties of operating the provisional government due to Japanese surveillance, poor environment, and financial difficulty. The Republic of Korea posthumously honored him with the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1962, the thirteenth anniversary of his death.

His mother was always at his back until Kim Gu left his name in history. Gwak Nak-won (1859–1939) was a strong and spirited mother and a patriotic independence activist. Ms. Gwak was in domestic service at an inn and did needlework to support Kim Gu who was in prison, and raised her little grandchildren, putting them to her breast with no milk as her daughter-in-law died of an illness at her early age. When the provisional government was established, she shared all the joys and sorrows with the independence activists in China.

Ms. Gwak’s upright spirit sometimes made Kim Gu feel ashamed. When he was released from prison, his friends held consolation party with female entertainers. Knowing that, Ms. Gwak took her son home and scolded him, “Do you think I’ve had such a rough time for many years to see you drink with women today?” He deeply realized his fault and knelt down before her.

On one occasion, the provisional government officials secretly tried to prepare Gwak’s birthday party. When she noticed it, she told them that she wanted money to buy what she wanted to eat, and received it. Then she added her own money to it and donated them for the independence movement. Another day, they bought her silk clothes, thinking of her prestige. Then, she let them get a refund, scolding sternly, “Remember the sacrifice of Yun Bong-gil (who died a martyr for Korea’s independence). Thanks to him, we are now here.”

Ms. Gwak was strict when something went wrong, but she always took care of the provisional government financially and encouraged the morale of her comrades. Sometimes, she collected outer stalk of cabbages dumped at the market, washed them and cooked porridge to support hungry provisional government workers. This way, Gwak lived a respectful life as a mother, and as the eldest woman in the provisional government, making great efforts for the independence of the country.

Gandhi had his father who enlightened his fault with tolerance, Vincent Gogh had his younger brother who trusted and supported him to the end, and Kim Gu had his mother who led him to the right path with her strong patriotism and uprightness. Behind these great men were their family who trusted and loved them.

Making great achievements and making the name widely known are not always prerequisites for becoming a great man. A person who can think of others more than himself, a person who knows the value of life and lives hard every day, a person who can impress people around him, and a person who finds happiness in small things! If you become a model for others in some way, you can be a great person in that respect. And there is none more thing—the one who can make a good impact on his precious family is the greatest person.