Only a fool treats an idiot with seriousness.
To speak ill of another in earnest only attests to one’s own weakness and smallness.
We must avoid adopting a rigidly critical attitude towards what those around us say.
Simply, if we could just accept things unconditionally as they are, as information for us to take in, this would be quite good. Then, in the due course of time, we may come to understand their true significance, and apprehend the nature of right and wrong, good and bad.
People are apt to think such things as “I am better than my neighbor.”
No matter whether in truth he is superior or inferior to his neighbor, a person who thinks of himself in this way has little hope of commanding any respect from his fellow men.
In all cases we must be careful to avoid injuring the dignity [pride?] of others. In dealing with the foolish and obstinate person, we must exercise still more care, striving as much as possible to make them happy, and to advance together hand-in-hand.
Because humans are highly prone to become angry or jealous over trifling matters, we must be truly careful.
We become angry because we feel that we are special.
In every case, because we are always preoccupied only with our own weaknesses and faults, we become overly sensitive towards the most trivial matters. If one has no particular reason to be ashamed, then no matter who one is around one should not feel even the slightest worry.
To a great extent, unless we constantly reflect upon even the most mundane matters we are apt to become egocentric, noticing only the faults of others and failing to understand our own natures in the least. If we compare ourselves to our fellows, and they are inferior to us to even the slightest extent, then we become overwhelmed with joy, thinking to ourselves, “ Hmmm, I’m really special, aren’t I?”. Thus we remain completely oblivious to reality, and the majority of us fail to notice our extreme inferiority to others in many important areas.
It is wrong to try to present yourself to others as more than you really are. You must have the courage to expose yourself as you truly are. What’s more, at times you must be perfectly content to be seen as inferior to your true nature.
I have thoroughly come to realize that it is truly rash to quickly label someone as good or bad, likable or despicable, based merely upon the observations of a single meeting.
I have also come to see that because first impressions have a great impact upon people, we become caught up in them and are often unable to clearly observe our fellow men.
Ever increasing creation, growth, and advancement is the work of God. Destruction, depletion, and regression are the work of the devil. Therefore, in even our most trivial daily affairs we must always maintain a progressive outlook. To worry and hesitate unnecessarily and always act in an overly conservative manner, on the other hand, is to go against the will of God. As it is absolutely imperative to reflect upon our selves; if we fail to do this then we unwittingly fall into the way of evil.
Because we are always happy to see an increase in our daily friendships and are delighted when we receive a letter, we should mutually increase such liaisons, and so share this joy with one another. One should always reply to letters promptly. As much as possible we should visit each other frequently and with camaraderie. And if one meets a person, one should be sure to exchange pleasant words with them.
At any rate, unless we eliminate feelings of prejudice, doubt, envy, and selfishness, we cannot expect this world to ever become pure. We must always remember that all people are equally good and interdependent.
Speak and act in the manner that comes most naturally. In this way all your actions will be properly courteous.
Of course there are times when we must give our words and actions careful thought. However, to only “think” intellectually is in itself misleading. Thinking too much only leads us astray. It is best to live like the smoothly flowing river-water.
The man who is equal to any task is the truly great man.
