The
Third Chapter
HAPPY
is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words
that fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses
often deceive us and we discern very little.
What
good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters when
our ignorance of them will not be held against us on Judgment
Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and necessary
and undue concern with those which are irrelevant and harmful,
are great folly.
We
have eyes and do not see.
What,
therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? He
to whom the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing.
For from this Word are all things and of Him all things speak
- the Beginning Who also speaks to us. Without this Word no
man understands or judges aright. He to whom it becomes everything,
who traces all things to it and who sees all things in it,
may ease his heart and remain at peace with God.
O
God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting.
I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read,
but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still,
let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to
me.
The
more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he
becomes, the easier he understands sublime things,
for he receives the light of knowledge from above. The pure,
simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors,
for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys
interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything. What,
indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled
desires of the heart?
A
good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has
to do, not according to the whims of evil inclination
but according to the dictates of right reason. Who is forced
to struggle more than he who tries to master himself? This
ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become
stronger each day, to advance in virtue.
Every
perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it
and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble
knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit
of learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or
knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God;
but a clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be
preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or nothing
because they try to become learned rather than to live well.
If
men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues
as they do in discussing problems, there would not
be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in
religious organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we
shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done;
not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.
Tell
me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you knew
so well in life and who were famous for their learning? Others
have already taken their places and I know not whether they
ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed
to be something; now they are seldom remembered. How quickly
the glory of the world passes away! If only their lives had
kept pace with their learning, then their study and reading
would have been worth while.
How
many there are who perish because of vain worldly knowledge
and too little care for serving God. They became vain in their
own conceits because they chose to be great rather than humble.
He
is truly great who has great charity. He is truly great who
is little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest
honor. He is truly wise who looks upon all earthly things
as folly that he may gain Christ. He who does God's will and
renounces his own is truly very learned.
Prabuddha
Bharata>>>
Vedanta
Kesari>>>
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