the life and works of rizal_ the indolence of the filipinos_ summary and analysis

7/16/2014 The Life and Works of Rizal: The Indolence of the Filipinos: Summary and Analysis

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The Indolence of the Filipinos:

Summary and Analysis

La Indolencia de los Filipinos, more popularly known in its English version, "The

Indolence of the Filipinos," is a exploratory essay written by Philippine national hero Dr.

Jose Rizal, to explain the alleged idleness of his people during the Spanish colonization.

SUMMARY

The Indolence of the Filipinos is a study of the causes why the people did not,

as was said, work hard during the Spanish regime. Rizal pointed out that long before

the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were industrious and hardworking. The

Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activities because of certain causes:

First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous associations of

the Philippines with other countries in Asia and the Middle East . As a result,

business was only conducted with Spain through Mexico. Because of this, the small

businesses and handicraft industries that flourished during the pre-Spanish period

gradually disappeared.

Second, Spain also extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the

implementation of forced labor. Because of the wars between Spain and other countries

in Europe as well as the Muslims in Mindanao, the Filipinos were compelled to work in

shipyards, roads, and other public works , abandoning agriculture, industry, and

commerce.

Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates.

With no arms to defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and

their lands destroyed. As a result of this, the Filipinos were forced to become nomads,

lost interest in cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the industries that were shut down,

and simply became submissive to the mercy of God.

Fourth, there was a crooked system of education , if it was to be considered an

education . What was being taught in the schools were repetitive prayers and other

things that could not be used by the students to lead the country to progress. There

were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc., which were badly needed by the

Philippines during those times.

Fifth, the Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor. The

officials reported to work at noon and left early, all the while doing nothing in line with

their duties. The women were seen constantly followed by servants who dressed them

and fanned them – personal things which they ought to have done for themselves.

Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during those times.

Almost everyday there were cockfights, and during feast days, the government officials

and friars were the first to engange in all sorts of bets and gambles.

Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught the naïve

Filipinos that it was easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to

work and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven after they died.

Lastly, the taxes were extremely high , so much so that a huge portion of what

they earned went to the government or to the friars. When the object of their labor was

removed and they were exploited, they were reduced to inaction.

Rizal admitted that the Filipinos did not work so hard because they were wise

enough to adjust themselves to the warm, tropical climate. “An hour’s work under that

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burning sun, in the midst of pernicious influences springing from nature in activity, is

equal to a day’s labor in a temperate climate.”

ANALYSIS

It is important to note that indolence in the Philippines is a chronic malady, but not a

hereditary one. Truth is, before the Spaniards arrived on these lands, the natives were

industriously conducting business with China, Japan, Arabia, Malaysia, and other

countries in the Middle East. The reasons for this said indolence were clearly stated in

the essay, and were not based only on presumptions, but were grounded on fact taken

from history.

Another thing that we might add that had caused this indolence, is the lack of unity

among the Filipino people. In the absence of unity and oneness, the people did not have

the power to fight the hostile attacks of the government and of the other forces of

society. There would also be no voice, no leader, to sow progress and to cultivate it, so

that it may be reaped in due time. In such a condition, the Philippines remained a

country that was lifeless, dead, simply existing and not living. As Rizal stated in

conclusion, “a man in the Philippines is an individual; he is not merely a citizen of a

country.”

It can clearly be deduced from the writing that the cause of the indolence attributed to

our race is Spain: When the Filipinos wanted to study and learn, there were no schools,

and if there were any, they lacked sufficient resources and did not present more useful

knowledge; when the Filipinos wanted to establish their businesses , there wasn’t

enough capital nor protection from the government; when the Filipinos tried to cultivate

their lands and establish various industries, they were made to pay enormous taxes and

were exploited by the foreign rulers.

It is not only the Philippines , but also other countries, that may be called indolent,

depending on the criteria upon which such a label is based. Man cannot work without

resting, and if in doing so he is considered lazy, they we could say that all men are

indolent. One cannot blame a country that was deprived of its dignity, to have lost its

will to continue building its foundation upon the backs of its people, especially when the

fruits of their labor do not so much as reach their lips. When we spend our entire lives

worshipping such a cruel and inhumane society, forced upon us by aliens who do not

even know our motherland, we are destined to tire after a while. We are not fools, we

are not puppets who simply do as we are commanded – we are human beings, who are

motivated by our will towards the accomplishment of our objectives, and who strive for

the preservation of our race. When this fundamental aspect of our existence is denied of

us, who can blame us if we turn idle?

20 comments:

Anonymous July 14, 2012 at 9:16 AM

thank you for helping me in my assignment. i hope i am not tagged as indolent

filipino,i am just collecting ideas for my paper, not exacly doing plagiarism nor copp-

pasting..

Reply

Anonymous February 13, 2013 at 6:16 AM

thank you. all i need to do is press "ctrl+c and ctrl+v", j3j3j3j3 :))

Reply

Anonymous February 28, 2013 at 7:18 AM

thanks to this, it helps me a lot, it is like a one stop shop of information.

Reply

Anonymous March 4, 2013 at 2:22 PM

This is all good. Thanks for helping me in my report. All the best.

Reply

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intellectual dishonesty...is this another sign of indolence? Be sure to give credit

where credit is due.

Reply

Anonymous May 5, 2013 at 2:30 PM

Great job! Godblessyou. :D

Reply

Anonymous May 15, 2013 at 7:31 AM

nice one..thank you.,its a BIG help for me.

Reply

admin June 12, 2013 at 8:54 AM

You're very welcome!

Anonymous June 28, 2013 at 5:31 AM

Wow! Rizal has seen what many of our leaders cannot see up to this point in time. I

said they can't see because they're not doing anything about the problem of

indolence.

Reply

Anonymous July 7, 2013 at 11:54 PM

All I can say is Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! Hhehehehe...

Reply

Anonymous July 26, 2013 at 7:17 PM

You encapsulated his essay very well.

Reply

Rose Anne Rogelio July 31, 2013 at 10:13 PM

Thank you for sharing this article. I learned that Filipinos are not Indolent. As what

Jose Rizal stated that Fipinos, before the coming of the Spaniards are hardworking

and industrious, however , during the Spanish time, they were forced to do

infrastructure, they have neglected to focus on agriculture, etc.

Rose Anne O. Rogelio

Contributor, www.OurHappySchool.com

Reply

Anonymous September 6, 2013 at 12:55 PM

Wow. Thank you so much! Glad I've found this. It really helped a lot with my Rizal

course assignment.

It's never an intention of mine to plagiarize any works, It was actually the summary I

was after. But on the other hand, I like how you have proved that Filipinos aren't what

some other people thought they were, and how they they weren't supposed to be

who they are right now. It was influenced by the interference of the foreign conqueror.

It's just sad to see people standing after the word 'lazy' and somehow grows really

proud of it.

Reply

admin September 10, 2013 at 4:53 AM

You're welcome! Thanks for sharing your excellent insights.

Anonymous September 23, 2013 at 4:51 PM

your work is highly appreciated..thanks a lot..we are grateful and lucky for having

modern technology that we can get huge information..thanks for those who made

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this one..;D it really help me. z21

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j cam October 3, 2013 at 7:39 AM

WOW,,THIS IS GREAT ,,WHAT AN INFORMATION,IT HELPS ME A LOT,,ADDS MY

KNOWLEDGE..." PROUD TO BE A FILIPINO"

#thanksfortheinfo

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Anonymous October 9, 2013 at 2:59 PM

yah this helps

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Anonymous March 5, 2014 at 5:29 AM

thank you for this summary!

Reply


thanks a lot..it will me in my assignment

thanks a lot...it will help me in my assignment

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thank you for the summary and analysis. It is a big help for my exam tomorrow . :)

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