Virtue and Wisdom

Book Title – Virtue and Wisdom
Author – Aung Thin
Publishing House – Maha
Publication Date – December 2025 (Republished)
Price – K10,000

This week’s pick is a book, Virtue and Wisdom, written by Sayagyi Aung Thin, with a compelling book cover quote: “Only when each individual is good, will the country progress. If everyone is a thief, how can the country develop? Just think about it.” First published in August 1998 by Thint Bawa Publishing House, this book has been reprinted numerous times by various publishing houses, with the latest edition released by Mahar Sarpay.
Sayagyi Aung Thin remained true to his vocation as a teacher and dedicated himself to youth-centric literary works to inspire and empower the hearts and minds of young people. He is renowned for his inspirational literary works; delivering talks, participating in writer-reader discussions, writing literary criticism articles, advocating for the flourishing of literary culture through reading groups for young people, producing non-fiction and creative works on education, ethics, and culture, the present and future lives of young people, and cultivating a bright and vibrant personality. He was truly a guiding star, a great author devoted to the youth. This book is a collection of his talks to younger generations.
He affirmed in a preface that it is true that I have held discussions under the titles Virtue and Wisdom, but I admit that I am not an expert with the right to write on such matters. However, I conducted these discussions with the desire to help the younger generation as well as I could.
Some might be unsatisfactory answers, and some might be a great response during talk shows. Those with great wisdom will forgive them.
One can clearly see some ask weird and random questions, and some ask serious questions. We can also find out what problems are lurking in the hearts of today’s youth through their questions. I urge all readers to try to collectively solve these problems and work together for it.”
In the Q&A section with the youth, readers will encounter numerous questions that can give them a few thoughts.
If you had to choose between virtue and material wealth, which would you choose?
Between adults and youth, who is more responsible for moral decline?
Why is someone highly educated yet considered worthless by society?
Readers will find that Saya Aung Thin gave good answers with humour and precision to the questions on the spot. Furthermore, some serve as a piece of thought.
In summary, Aung Thin’s “Virtue and Wisdom,” a work of inspirational literature, profoundly and effectively examines the importance of morality and education. This book provides detailed guidance on how to build a life of peace and harmony by combining knowledge and moral integrity, how to cultivate honesty and integrity and earn the love and respect of others within society, and how to work with self-confidence in the workplace and social environment. Thus, it is a must-read for aspiring youth and middle-aged adults to build trustworthy and sustainable communities through honesty, responsibility and civic engagement.

gnlm