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Gems From The East
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The Dew is on the lotus!––Rise, Great Sun! ––EDWIN ARNOLD, The Light of Asia, Book 8. |
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Few words will be need by way of preface to these “Gems from the East.”
At a time when Western minds are occupied in the study of Oriental Literature, attracted possibly by its richness of expression and marvelous imagery, but no less by the broad yet deep philosophy of life, and the sweet altruistic doctrines contained therein, it is thought seasonable to present the public with a useful and attractive little volume such as this.
The Precepts and Aphorisms, compiled by “H.P.B.,” are culled chiefly from Oriental writings considered to embody in part, teachings which are now attracting so much attention in the West, and for the diffusion of which the Theosophical Society is mainly responsible.
As far as possible we have endeavored to make the volume attractive, handy, and useful to all.
It contains a Precept or an Axiom for every day in the year; lines of a Theosophical nature, selected from sources not invariably Oriental, preface each month; and the whole is embellished with drawings from the pen of F.W., a lady Theosophist.
It is hoped that our efforts will meet with approval from all lovers of the good and beautiful, and that they may not be without effect in the cause of TRUTH.
W.R.O. [Walter R. Old]
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“UTTISHµA!––Rise! Awake! THE SECRET OF DEATH. |
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1. The first duty taught in Theosophy, is to do one’s duty unflinchingly by every duty.
2. The heart which follows the rambling senses leads away his judgment as the wind leads a boat astray upon the waters.
3. He who casts off all desires, living free from attachments, and free from egoism, obtains bliss.
4. To every man that is born, an axe is born in his mouth, by which the fool cuts himself, when speaking bad language.
5. As all earthen vessels made by the potter end in being broken, so is the life of mortals.
6. Wise men are light-bringers.
7. A just life, a religious, life, this is the best gem.
8. Having tasted the sweetness of illusion and tranquillity, one becomes free from fear, and free from sin, drinking in the sweetness of Dhamma (law).
9. False friendship is like a parasitic plant, it kills the tree it embraces.
10. Cut out the love of self, like an autumn lotus, with thy hand! Cherish the road of peace.
11. Men who have not observed proper discipline, and have not gained treasure in their youth, perish like old herons in a lake without fish.
430 12. As the bee collects nectar, and departs without injuring the flower, or its color or scent, so let a Sage dwell in his village.
13. As rain does not break through a well-thatched house, passion will not break through a well-reflecting mind.
14. He who hath too many friends, hath as many candidates for enemies.
15. That man alone is wise, who keeps the mastery of himself.
16. Seek refuge in thy soul; have there thy Heaven! Scorn them that follow virtue for her gifts!
17. All our dignity consists in thought, therefore le us contrive to think well; for that is the principle of morals.
18. Flattery is a false coin which circulates only because of our vanity.
19. Narrowness of mind causes stubbornness; we do not easily believe what is beyond that which we see.
20. The soul ripens in tears.
21.
This is truth the poet sings–– |
22. Musk is musk because of its own fragrance, and not from being called a perfume by the druggist.
23. Not every one ready for a dispute is as quick in transacting business.
431 24. It is not every graceful form that contains as graceful a disposition.
25. If every pebble became a priceless ruby, then pebble and ruby would become equal in value.
26. Every man thinks his own wisdom faultless, and every mother her own child beautiful.
27. If wisdom were to vanish suddenly from the universe, no one yet would suspect himself a fool.
28. A narrow stomach may be filled to its satisfaction, but a narrow mind will never be satisfied, not even with all the riches of the world.
29. He who neglects his duty to his conscience, will neglect to pay his debt to his neighbor.
30. Mite added to mite becomes a great heap; the heap in the barn consists of small grains.
31. He who tasteth not thy bread during thy lifetime, will not mention thy name when thou art dead.
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“Behold, we know not anything; TENNYSON, In Memoriam |
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1. Two things are impossible in this world of Maya: to enjoy more than Karma hath allotted; to die before one’s hour hath struck.
2. A student without inclination for work is like a squirrel on its wheel, he makes no progress.
3. A traveller without observation is a bird without wings.
4. A learned man without pupils, is a tree which bears no fruit; a devotee without good works, is a dwelling without a door.
5. When Fate overtakes us, the eye of Wisdom becomes blind.
6. Keep thine eyes open, or Fate will open them for thee.
7. He who kisses the hand he cannot cut off, will have his head cut off by the hand he now kisses in the next rebirth.
8. He who keeps to his business, he who loves his companions, he who does his duty, will never be poor.
9. A thousand regrets will not pay thy debts.
10. Fallen flowers do not return to their stems, nor departed friends to their houses.
11. To feel one’s ignorance is to be wise; to feel sure of one’s wisdom is to be a fool.
12. One proof is better than ten arguments.
434 13. Rain in the morn brings the sun after noon. He who weeps today, may laugh tomorrow.
14. The soothsayer for evil never knows his own fate.
15. Like oil, truth often floats on the surface of the lie.
Like clear water, truth often underlies the seeming falsehood.
16. Often vinegar got for nothing, is sweeter to the poor man than honey bought.
17. Every tree hath its shadow, every sorrow its joy.
18. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind by passion. Blessed are the patient, and the passionless.
19. The virtuous man who is happy in this life, is sure to be still happier in his next.
20. What ought to be done in neglected, what ought not to be done is done. The sins of the unruly are ever increasing.
21. Without Karma, no fisherman could catch a fish; outside of Karma, no fish would die on dry land, or in boiling water.
22. Let every man first become himself that which he teaches others to be.
23. He who hath subdued himself, may hope to subdue others. One’s own self is the most difficult to master.
24. Hatred is never quenched by hatred; hatred ceases by showing love; this is an old rule.
435 25. The path of virtue lies in the renunciation of the seven great sins.
26. The best possession of the man of clay is health; the highest virtue of the man of spirit is truthfulness.
27. Man walks on, and Karma follows him along with his shadow.
28. Daily practical wisdom consists of four things:––To know the root of Truth, the branches of Truth, the limit of Truth, and the opposite of Truth.
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Footnotes