Ideas build cvilisations. Ideals provide vitality and freedom to propel civilisations to greatness. From Plato to Gandhi, Cicero to Lincoln, great ideas have been impressing the minds and conscience of the people, setting afire their imagination, motivating them to rise to new heights, to seek newer means of endeavour, to tread new paths towards greatness and accomplishment.In these thought-provoking essays Dr. Radhakrishnan explores the power of ideas and ideals which shape growth and propel human civilisation forward.The essays published in the book are largely based on Dr. Radhakrishnan's speeches to the university audiences, specially the students, in pre-independent India. Yet these do not read dated, and remain meaningful even today.