HPB-SB-14-10

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

T i

vol. 14, p. 10	volume 14, page 10 vol. title: vol. period: 1882 pages in vol.: 174
Legend HPB note HPB highlighted HPB underlined HPB crossed out <Editors note> <Archivist note> Lost or unclear SBT, DT Restored

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< A Tilt with Talmage. (continued from page 14-7) >

should take Jefferson’s coat in preference to Jackson’s. I believe that Hæckel is, to say the least, the equal of any theologian we have in this country, and the late John W. Draper certainly knew as much upon these great questions as the average parson. I believe that Darwin has investigated some of these things, that Tyndall and Huxley have returned their minds somewhat in the same direction, that Helmholtz has a few opinions, and that, in fact, thousands of able, intelligent, and honest men differ almost entirely from Webster and Jackson.

So far as I am concerned, I think more of reasons than of reputations, more of principles than of persons, more of nature than of names, more of facts than of faiths.

It is the same with books as with persons. Probably there is not a book in the world entirely destitute of truth, and not one entirely exempt from error. The Bible is like other books. There are mistakes in it, side by side with truths—passages inculcating murder and mercy—laws devilish and tyrannical, and others filled with wisdom and justice. It is foolish to say that if you accept a part you must accept the whole. You must accept that which commends itself to your heart and brain. There never was a doctrine that a witness, or a book should be thrown entirely away because false in one particular. If in any particular the book, or the man, …ells the truth, to that extent the truth should be accepted.

Truth is made no worse by the one who tells it, and a lie gets no real benefit from the reputation of its author.

Q.—What do you think of the statement that a general belief in your teachings would fill all the penitentiaries, and that in twenty years there would be a hell in this world worse than the one expected in the other?

A.—My creed is this;—

1. Happiness is the only good.

2. The way to be happy is to make others happy. Other things being equal,

that man is happiest

who is the nearest just—who is truthful, merciful, and intelligent; in other words, the one who lives in accordance with the conditions of life.

3. The time to be happy is now, and the place to be happy is here.

4. Reason is the lamp of the mind, the only torch of progress; and instead of blowing that out and depending upon darkness and dogma, it is far better to increase that sacred light.

5. Every man should be the intellectual proprietor of himself, honest with himself, and intellectually hospitable; and on every brain, reason should be enthroned as king.

6. That every man must bear the consequences, at least, of <... continues on page 14-11 >