Expansion of an idea Cleanliness is next to godliness
Answers
It is considered that the people maintaining cleanliness and develop the habit of dressing smartly, become clean character and generally pious and god-fearing. Such people have certain morals in their life and have clean heart by being godly. We can say that godliness starts with clean heart and clean heart can be of person with good character. This is the reason why priests of any religion tell to be clean from body and mind before worship. Cleanliness is the first and foremost thing to be near to the god.
On the other hand, being clean strengthens our immunity system and secures us from many chronic and acute diseases. However, clean people may catch diseases from dirty people but they are strong enough to tackle small problems. They can manage things in their surroundings related to the cleanliness including instructing poor and dirty people about cleanliness.
People maintaining their proper cleanliness feel shame in meeting with the people having dirty face, hands, soiled clothes and bad smelling clothes because they feel their insult while meeting with such type of people. Cleanliness of body is really very necessary for the good physical health. On the other hand, physical cleanliness gives inner cleanliness and keeps heart and mind clean. Cleanliness of mind keeps us mentally healthy and prevents from the psychological problems. So, the complete cleanliness keeps away from dirt and diseases as both go together, where there is dirt there is diseases.
Disease causing germs breed and grow very rapidly in the dirt which causes infection or various epidemic diseases such as cholera. So, in order to be healthy, happy and a peaceful life we all should practice clean habits in every aspect of life because dirt symbolizes moral evil whereas cleanliness symbolizes moral purity.
'cleanliness is next to godliness'
The expression emphasises the importance of cleanliness-clean dress and clean habits. Cleanliness means the habit if keeping oneself physically and mentally clean. Godliness means being near to god by loving and obeying him. Cleanliness is very important for a good, healthy and moral life. A well-dressed person with clean habits impresses others. He may be in possession of a good character too. A person’s character can be assessed by his dress and manners. Cleanliness of body is also necessary for self-respect. But even more important than cleanliness of body is cleanliness of mind. Cleanliness of heart is the beginning of godliness. God is considered to be the most sacred and the purest being. A person who is pure and clean in body and mind is considered to be next to god. Men of good character stick to certain principles in life. They are pious and god-fearing. Their minds are free from hatred and jealousy. They do not keep any grudge against others in their hearts. Only a person who possesses a clean heart can become pious. Godliness is to be pious and religious. The character of a person is based on his external appearance, purity of thought, word and deed. A person who is outwardly clean and inwardly poisonous is very dangerous. Cleanliness gives us mental peace and happiness. Only clean-hearted persons can enjoy the bliss of god. Thus the proverb teaches us that cleanliness of body and mind is the way to reach god. If we are clean in mind and body, we are next to God.