GEMSFROMTHEEAST

ABirthdayBookofPreceptsandAxioms

CompiledbyH.P.B.

Thiseditionisareproductionoftheoriginal,publishedbyH.P.BlavatskyinLondon,England,
in1890.TheosophicalUniversityPresselectronicversionISBN1557001219(printversion
alsoavailable).DuetocurrentlimitationsintheASCIIcharacterset,andforeaseofsearching,
nodiacriticalmarksappearinthiselectronicversionofthetext.

NOTE:WeregretthatitwasnotpossibleatthistimetoincludethelinedrawingsbyF.W.inthe
currentelectronicversion.

Contents
Preface

|January|February|March|April|May|June|July|

|August|September|October|November|December|

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PREFACE.
Fewwordswillbeneededbywayofprefacetothese"GemsfromtheEast."

AtatimewhenWesternmindsareoccupiedinthestudyofOrientalLiterature,attractedpossiblybyits
richnessofexpressionandmarvelousimagery,butnolessbythebroadyetdeepphilosophyoflife,and
thesweetaltruisticdoctrinescontainedtherein,itisthoughtseasonabletopresentthepublicwitha
usefulandattractivelittlevolumesuchasthis.

ThePreceptsandAphorisms,compiledby"H.P.B.,"areculledchieflyfromOrientalwritings
consideredtoembody,inpart,teachingswhicharenowattractingsomuchattentionintheWest,and
forthediffusionofwhichtheTheosophicalSocietyismainlyresponsible.

Asfaraspossiblewehaveendeavouredtomakethevolumeattractive,handy,andusefultoall.

ItcontainsaPreceptoranAxiomforeverydayintheyearlinesofaTheosophicalnature,selected
fromsourcesnotinvariablyOriental,prefaceeachmonthandthewholeisembellishedwithdrawings
fromthepenofF.W.,aladyTheosophist.

Itishopedthatoureffortswillmeetwithapprovalfromallloversofthegoodandbeautiful,andthat
theymaynotbewithouteffectinthecauseofTRUTH.

W.R.O.

"THEREISNORELIGIONHIGHERTHANTRUTH"

JANUARY.
"UTTISHAT!Rise!Awake!
SeekthegreatTeachers,andattend!Theroad
Isnarrowasaknifeedge!Hardtotread!"
"ButwhosoonceperceivethHIMthatIS
Withoutaname,Unseen,Impalpable,
Bodiless,Undiminished,Unenlarged,
Tosensesundeclared,withoutanend,
Withoutbeginning,Timeless,Higherthanheight,
Deeperthandepth!Lo!Suchanoneissaved!
Deathhathnotpoweruponhim!"

THESECRETOFDEATH(fr.TheKathaUpanishad).

1ThefirstdutytaughtinTheosophy,istodoone'sdutyunflinchinglybyeveryduty.

2Theheartwhichfollowstheramblingsensesleadsawayhisjudgmentasthewindleadsaboatastray
uponthewaters.

3Hewhocastsoffalldesires,livingfreefromattachments,andfreefromegoism,obtainsbliss.

4Toeverymanthatisborn,anaxeisborninhismouth,bywhichthefoolcutshimself,whenspeaking
badlanguage.

5Asallearthenvesselsmadebythepotterendinbeingbroken,soisthelifeofmortals.

6Wisemenarelightbringers.

7Ajustlife,areligiouslife,thisisthebestgem.

8Havingtastedthesweetnessofillusionandtranquillity,onebecomesfreefromfear,andfreefromsin,
drinkinginthesweetnessofDhamma(law).

9Falsefriendshipislikeaparasiticplant,itkillsthetreeitembraces.
10Cutouttheloveofself,likeanautumnlotus,withthyhand!Cherishtheroadofpeace.

11Menwhohavenotobservedproperdiscipline,andhavenotgainedtreasureintheiryouth,perish
likeoldheronsinalakewithoutfish.

12Asthebeecollectsnectar,anddepartswithoutinjuringtheflower,oritscolororscent,soletaSage
dwellinhisvillage.

13Asraindoesnotbreakthroughawellthatchedhouse,passionwillnotbreakthroughawell
reflectingmind.

14Hewhohathtoomanyfriends,hathasmanycandidatesforenemies.

15Thatmanaloneiswise,whokeepsthemasteryofhimself.

16SeekrefugeinthysoulhavetherethyHeaven!Scornthemthatfollowvirtueforhergifts!

17Allourdignityconsistsinthought,thereforeletuscontrivetothinkwellforthatistheprincipleof
morals.

18Flatteryisafalsecoinwhichcirculatesonlybecauseofourvanity.

19Narrownessofmindcausesstubbornnesswedonoteasilybelievewhatisbeyondthatwhichwe
see.

20Thesoulripensintears.

21ThisistruththepoetsingsThatasorrow'scrownofsorrows/Isrememberinghappierthings.

22Muskismuskbecauseofitsownfragrance,andnotfrombeingcalledaperfumebythedruggist.

23Noteveryonereadyforadisputeisasquickintransactingbusiness.

24Itisnoteverygracefulformthatcontainsasgracefuladisposition.

25Ifeverypebblebecameapricelessruby,thenpebbleandrubywouldbecomeequalinvalue.

26Everymanthinkshisownwisdomfaultless,andeverymotherherownchildbeautiful.

27Ifwisdomweretovanishsuddenlyfromtheuniverse,nooneyetwouldsuspecthimselfafool.

28Anarrowstomachmaybefilledtoitssatisfaction,butanarrowmindwillneverbesatisfied,not
evenwithalltherichesoftheworld.

29Hewhoneglectshisdutytohisconscience,willneglecttopayhisdebttohisneighbor.

30Miteaddedtomitebecomesagreatheaptheheapinthebarnconsistsofsmallgrains.

31Hewhotastethnotthybreadduringthylifetime,willnotmentionthynamewhenthouartdead.
FEBRUARY.
"Behold,weknownotanything
Icanbuttrustthatgoodshallfall
Atlastfaroffatlast,toall,
Andeverywinterchangetospring.

"Sorunsmydream:butwhatamI?
Aninfantcryinginthenight:
Aninfantcryingforthelight:
Andwithnolanguagebutacry."

TENNYSON(InMemoriam)

1TwothingsareimpossibleinthisworldofMaya:toenjoymorethanKarmahathallottedtodie
beforeone'shourhathstruck.

2Astudentwithoutinclinationforworkislikeasquirrelonitswheelhemakesnoprogress.

3Atravellerwithoutobservationisabirdwithoutwings.

4Alearnedmanwithoutpupils,isatreewhichbearsnofruitadevoteewithoutgoodworks,isa
dwellingwithoutadoor.

5WhenFateovertakesus,theeyeofWisdombecomesblind.

6Keepthineeyesopen,orFatewillopenthemforthee.

7Hewhokissesthehandhecannotcutoff,willhavehisheadcutoffbythehandhenowkissesinthe
nextrebirth.

8Hewhokeepstohisbusiness,hewholoveshiscompanions,hewhodoeshisduty,willneverbe
poor.

9Athousandregretswillnotpaythydebts.

10Fallenflowersdonotreturntotheirstems,nordepartedfriendstotheirhouses.

11Tofeelone'signoranceistobewisetofeelsureofone'swisdomistobeafool.

12Oneproofisbetterthantenarguments.

13Raininthemornbringsthesunafternoon.Hewhoweepstoday,maylaughtomorrow.

14Thesoothsayerforevilneverknowshisownfate.
15Likeoil,truthoftenfloatsonthesurfaceofthelie.Likeclearwater,truthoftenunderliestheseeming
falsehood.

16Oftenvinegargotfornothing,issweetertothepoormanthanhoneybought.

17Everytreehathitsshadow,everysorrowitsjoy.

18Thefieldsaredamagedbyweeds,mankindbypassion.Blessedarethepatient,andthepassionless.

19Thevirtuousmanwhoishappyinthislife,issuretobestillhappierinhisnext.

20Whatoughttobedoneisneglected,whatoughtnottobedoneisdone.Thesinsoftheunrulyare
everincreasing.

21WithoutKarma,nofishermancouldcatchafishoutsideofKarma,nofishwoulddieondryland,or
inboilingwater.

22Leteverymanfirstbecomehimselfthatwhichheteachesotherstobe.

23Hewhohathsubduedhimself,mayhopetosubdueothers.One'sownselfisthemostdifficultto
master.

24Hatredisneverquenchedbyhatredhatredceasesbyshowinglovethisisanoldrule.

25Thepathofvirtueliesintherenunciationofthesevengreatsins.

26Thebestpossessionofthemanofclayishealththehighestvirtueofthemanofspiritistruthfulness.

27Manwalkson,andKarmafollowshimalongwithhisshadow.

28Dailypracticalwisdomconsistsoffourthings:ToknowtherootofTruth,thebranchesofTruth,
thelimitofTruth,andtheoppositeofTruth.

MARCH.
"Saynot'Iam,''Iwas,'or'Ishallbe,'
Thinknotyepassfromhousetohouseofflesh
Liketravellerswhorememberandforget,
Illlodgedorwelllodged.Fresh
Issuesupontheuniversethatsum
Whichisthelattermostoflives.Itmakes
Itshabitationasthewormspinssilk
Anddwellstherein."

LIGHTOFASIA,Bk.8.
1Fourthingsincreasebyuse:Health,wealth,perseverance,andcredulity.

2Toenjoythedayofplenty,youmustbepatientinthedayofwant.

3Expelavaricefromyourheart,soshallyouloosenthechainsfromoffyourneck.

4Letamanovercomeangerbylove,evilbygood,greedinessbyliberality,liebytruth.

5Donotspeakharshlytoanybodythosewhoaresospokentowillanswertheeinthesameway.

6Thislifeisintheworldofworkandretributivejusticethelifethatfollowsisintheworldofgreat
reward.

7Excuseisbetterthandisputationdelayisbetterthanrashnessunwillingnessofstrifeisbetterthan
eagernessinseekingit.

8Cutdownthewholeforestoflust,notthetree.Whenthouhastcutdowneverytreeandeveryshrub,
thenthouwiltbefree.

9Theavariciousgonottotheworldofthegods(Devas),forthefoolcommandsnocharity.

10Hewhoholdsbackrisingangerlikearollingchariot,iscalledarealdriverotherpeoplearebut
holdersofthereins.

11Thefoolwhoisangered,andwhothinkstotriumphbyusingabusivelanguage,isalways
vanquishedbyhimwhosewordsarepatient.

12Thebestofmedicinesisdeaththeworstofdiseasesisvainanticipation.

13Aneasytemperisagoodcounsellor,andapleasanttongueisanexcellentleader.

14Agoodwordintimeisbetterthanasweetpieaftermeals.

15Foolishprideisanincurablemaladyabadwifeisachronicdiseaseandawrathfuldispositionisa
lifelongburden.

16TruthisbrighterthanthesuntruthisthesunnydayofReason,andfalsehoodthemind'sdarknight.

17Allhasanend,andwillaway.Truthaloneisimmortal,andlivesforever.

18Thelightofallfleshisthesunthelightofthesoultrutheverlasting.

19Theroadtosinisawidehighwaythewayoutofit,asteepandruggedhill.

20Thefaultofothersiseasilyperceived,butthatofoneselfisdifficulttoperceive.

21Goodpeopleshinefromafarlikethesnowymountainsbadpeoplearenotseen,likearrowsshotat
night.
22Wheretwowomenmeet,thereamarketspringswherethreecongregate,abazaarisopenedand
whereseventalk,therebeginsafair.

23Extensiveknowledgeandscience,wellregulateddisciplineandwellspokenspeech,thisisthe
greatestblessing.

24Thesubtleselfistobeknownbythoughtaloneforeverythoughtofmenisinterwovenwiththe
senses,andwhenthoughtispurified,thentheselfarises.

25Leadmefromtheunrealtothereal!Leadmefromdarknesstolight!Leadmefromdeathto
immortality!

26TheSagewhoknowsBrahmanmovesononthesmall,oldpaththatstretchesfaraway,restsinthe
heavenlyplace,andthencemoveshigheron.

27Neitherbytheeyes,norbyspirit,norbythesensuousorgans,norbyausterity,norbysacrifices,can
weseeBrahma.Onlythepure,bythelightofwisdomandmeditation,canseethepureDeity.

28ByperfectioninstudyandmeditationtheSupremeSpiritbecomesmanifeststudyisoneeyeto
beholdit,andmeditationistheother.

29Alas!Wereapwhatseedwesowthehandsthatsmiteusareourown.

30Thoughtsalonecausetheroundofrebirthsinthisworldletamanstrivetopurifyhisthoughts,what
amanthinks,thatheis:thisistheoldsecret.

31"Mysonsareminethiswealthismine":withsuchthoughtsisafooltormented.Hehimselfdoesnot
belongtohimself,muchlesssonsandwealth.

APRIL.
"Theuntouchedsoul,
Greaterthanalltheworlds(becausetheworlds
Byitsubsist)smallerthansubtleties
Ofthingsminutestlastofultimates
Sitsinthehollowheartofallthatlives!
Whosohathlaidasidedesireandfear,
Hissensesmastered,andhisspiritstill,
Seesinthequietlightofverity
Eternal,safe,majesticalHISSOUL!"

THESECRETOFDEATH(fr.TheKathaUpanishad).

1Hewholeavesthesocietyoffools,cleavesuntothewise.

2Theselfishiddeninallbeings,anddoesnotshineforthbutitisseenbysubtleseers,throughtheir
sharpandsubtleintellect.

3Patienceleadstopowerbuteagernessingreedleadstoloss.

4Threethingsmakeapoormanrich:courtesy,considerationforothers,andtheavoidanceofsuspicion.

5Whentrustisgone,misfortunecomesinwhenconfidenceisdead,revengeisbornandwhen
treacheryappears,allblessingsflyaway.

6Theworldexistsbycauseallthingsexistbycauseandbeingsareboundbycause,evenasthe
rollingcartwheelbythepinofanaxletree.

7Thelivingsoulisnotwoman,norman,norneuterwhateverbodyittakes,withthatitisjoinedonly.

8HehowishestoreachBuddhahood,andaspirestotheknowledgeoftheSelfborn,musthonorthose
whokeepthisdoctrine.

9Asthespidermovingupwardbyhisthreadgainsfreespace,thusalsohewhoundertakesmoving
upwardbytheknownwordOM,gainsindependence.

10ThewheelofsacrificehasLoveforitsnave,Actionforitstire,andBrotherhoodforitsspokes.

11Manconsistsofdesires.Andasishisdesire,soishiswillandasishisill,soishisdeedand
whateverdeedhedoes,thathewillreap.

12AstonebecomesaplantaplantabeastthebeastamanamanaSpiritandtheSpiritGOD.

13Thereexistsnospotontheearth,orinthesky,orinthesea,neitheristhereanyinthemountain
clefts,whereanevildeeddoesnotbringtroubletothedoer.

14Whoever,notbeingasanctifiedperson,pretendstobeaSaint,heisindeedthelowestofallmen,the
thiefinallworlds,includingthatofBrahma.

15Ifamanconsortingwithme(Buddha)doesnotconformhislifetomycommandments,whatbenefit
willtenthousandpreceptsbetohim?

16Hewhosmiteswillbesmittenhewhoshowsrancorwillfindrancorso,fromrevilingcometh
reviling,andtohimwhoisangeredcomesanger.

17"Heabusedme,hereviledme,hebeatme,hesubduedme"hewhokeepsthisinmind,andwho
feelsresentment,willfindnopeace.

18Likeabeautifulflower,fullofcolor,butwithoutscent,arethefinebutfruitlesswordsofhimwho
doesnotactaccordingly.

19Whenyourmindshallhavecrossedbeyondthetaintofdelusion,thenwillyoubecomeindifferentto
allthatyouhaveheardorwillhear.
20Thewiseguardthehomeofnature'sordertheyassumeexcellentformsinsecret.

21Ifthoulosestall,andgettestwisdombyit,thylossisthygain.

22Emptythymindofevil,butfillitwithgood.

23Greatworksneednogreatstrength,butperseverance.

24SleepisbutbirthintothelandofMemorybirthbutasleepintheoblivionofthePast.

25Toforgivewithoutforgetting,isagaintoreproachthewrongdoereverytimetheactcomesbackto
us.

26Everymancontainswithinhimselfthepotentialityofimmortality,equilibratedbythepowerof
choice.

27Hewholivesinonecoloroftherainbowisblindtotherest.Liveinthelightdiffusedthroughthe
entirearc,andyouwillknowitall.

28EverytimethebelieverpronouncesthewordOM,herenewstheallegiancetothedivinepotentiality
enshrinedwithintheSoul.

29PeopletalkoftheDevil.Everymanhasseenhimheisineverysinfulheart.

30TheHigherSelfknowsthathighesthomeofBrahman,whichcontainsallandshinessobright.The
wisewhowithoutdesiringhappinessworshipthatSELF,arenotbornagain.

MAY.
I'mwearyofconjectures,thismustend'em.
ThusamIdoublyarmed:mydeathandlife,
Mybaneandantidote,arebothbeforeme:
Thisinamomentbringsmetoanend
ButthisinformsmeIshallneverdie.
TheSoul,securedinherexistence,smiles
Atthedrawndagger,anddefiesitspoint.
Thestarsshallfadeaway,thesunhimself
Growdimwithage,andnaturesinkinyears
Butthoushaltflourishinimmortalyouth,
Unhurtamidstthewarofelements,
Thewrecksofmatter,andthecrushofworlds.

ADDISON.

1TheeternalSpiritiseverywhere.Itstandsencompassingthewholeworld.
2Hewhofeedsthehungrybeforehehasassuagedhisownhunger,preparesforhimselfeternalfood.
Hewhorenouncesthatfoodforthesakeofaweakerbrotherisagod.

3ThealtaronwhichthesacrificeisofferedisManthefuelisspeechitself,thesmokethebreath,the
lightthetongue,thecoalstheeye,thesparkstheear.

4Onemomentineternityisasimportantasanothermoment,foreternitychangethnot,neitherisone
partbetterthananotherpart.

5Betteritwouldbethatamanshouldeatalumpofflamingironthanthatoneshouldbreakhisvows.

6Evenagoodmanseesevildays,aslongashisgooddeedshavenotripenedbutwhentheyhave
ripened,thendoesthegoodmanseehappydays.

7Byoneselftheevilisdone,byoneselfonesuffersbyoneselftheevilisleftundone,byoneselfoneis
purified.

8Purityandimpuritybelongtooneselfnoonecanpurifyanother.

9SelfisthelordofSelf:whoelsecouldbethelord!Withselfwellsubdued,amanfindsamastersuch
asfewcanfind.

10Ifonemanconquerinbattleathousandtimesathousandmen,andifanotherconquerhimself,heis
thegreaterofthetwoconquerors.

11Whoisthegreatman?Hewhoisstrongestinpatience.Hewhopatientlyenduresinjury,and
maintainsablamelesslifeheisamanindeed!

12Ifthouhastdoneevildeeds,orifthouwouldstdothem,thoumayestariseandrunwhere'erthou
wilt,butthoucanstnotfreethyselfofthysuffering.

13ThereisaroadthatleadstoWealththereisanotherroadthatleadstoNirvana.

14Anevildeeddoesnotturnonasuddenlikecurdlingmilkitislikefiresmolderingintheashes,
whichburnsthefool.

15Anevildeedkillsnotinstantly,asdoesasword,butitfollowstheevildoerintohisnextandstill
nextrebirth.

16Thecalumniatorislikeonewhoflingsdirtatanotherwhenthewindiscontrary,thedirtdoesbut
returnonhimwhothrewit.

17Thevirtuousmancannotbehurt,themiserythathisenemywouldinflictcomesbackonhimself.

18Natureisupheldbyantagonism.Passions,resistance,danger,areeducators.Weacquirethestrength
wehaveovercome.

19Ifamanunderstandstheselfsaying"IamHe,"whatcouldhewishordesirethatheshouldpine
afterthebody?

20ThatwordwhichalltheVedasrecord,whichallpenancesproclaim,whichmendesirewhenthey
liveasreligiousdisciples,thatwordItelltheebriefly,itisOM.

21Asapersonhavingseenoneinadream,recognizeshimafterwardssodoesonewhohasachieved
properconcentrationofmindperceivetheSELF.

22Itisbettertodoone'sownduty,eventhoughimperfectly,thantoperformanother'sdutywell.

23ThewisewhoknowstheSelfasbodilesswithinthebodies,asunchangingamongchangingthings,
asgreatandomnipresent,doesnevergrieve.

24Thepathofvirtueliesintherenunciationofarroganceandpride.

25Hewhowrongsanotherunjustlywillregretit,thoughmenmayapplaudhimbuthewhois
wrongedissafefromregret,thoughtheworldmayblamehim.

26Thereismorecourageinfacingtheworldwithundisguisedtruth,thanindescendingintoawild
beast'sden.

27Trueclemencyisinforegoingrevenge,whenitisinone'spowertruepatienceisinbearingup
againstdisappointments.

28Thehappymanmustprepareeretheevildaycomesandwhenitdoes,letthethoughtthatevery
goodandgreatmanhasbeenmadetosufferatsometimeconsolehim.

29Wealthinthehandsofonewhothinksnotofhelpingmankindwithit,issuretoturnonedayinto
dryleaves.

30Likeasthenightfollowstheday,somisfortuneistheshadowofjoyKarmabestowingherlotswith
bothhands.

31Theeaglecatchethnotfliesbuteventheeagleisdisturbedbythem.

JUNE.
"Thereis'true'Knowledge.Learnthouitisthis:

ToseeoneChangelessLifeinallthatlives,
AndintheSeparate,OneInseparable.
ThereisimperfectKnowledge:thatwhichsees
Theseparateexistencesapart,
And,beingseparated,holdsthemreal.
ThereisfalseKnowledge:thatwhichblindlyclings
Tooneasif'twereall,seekingnocause,
Deprivedoflight,narrow,anddull,and'dark.'"
 SONGCELESTIAL,Bk.18(fr.TheBhagavadGita)

1Judgethetreebyitsfruits,manbyhisdeeds.

2Theosophyisnottheacquirementofpowers,whetherpsychicorintellectual,thoughbothareits
servants.

3NeitherisTheosophythepursuitofhappiness,asmenunderstandthewordforthefirststepis
sacrifice,thesecond,renunciation.

4Lifeisbuiltupbythesacrificeoftheindividualtothewhole.Eachcellinthelivingbodymust
sacrificeitselftotheperfectionofthewholewhenitisotherwise,diseaseanddeathenforcethelesson.

5Theosophyisthescienceoflife,theartofliving.

6Harmonyisthelawoflife,discorditsshadowwhencespringssuffering,theteacher,theawakenerof
consciousness.

7Throughjoyandsorrow,painandpleasure,thesoulcomestoaknowledgeofitself.

8Theeyesofwisdomareliketheoceandepthsthereisneitherjoynorsorrowinthem.Thereforethe
soulofthedisciplemustbecomestrongerthanjoy,andgreaterthansorrow.

9Wehatebutthosewhomweenvyorfear.

10Selfknowledgeisunattainablebywhatmenusuallycall"selfanalysis."Itisnotreachedby
reasoningoranybrainpowers.

11Realselfknowledgeistheawakeningtoconsciousnessofthedivinenatureofman.

12WillistheoffspringoftheDivine,theGodinmanDesire,themotivepoweroftheanimallife.

13Willistheexclusivepossessionofman.Itdivideshimfromthebrute,inwhominstinctivedesire
onlyisactive.

14Toobtaintheknowledgeofself,isagreaterachievementthantocommandtheelementsortoknow
thefuture.

15ThegreatwatchwordoftheTrueisthisinlastanalysisallthingsaredivine.

16FearistheslaveofPain,andRebellionhercaptive.

17EnduranceisthefreecompanionofSorrow,andPatiencehermaster.

18ThehusbandofPainisRapture,butthesoulsarefewinwhomthatmarriageisconsummated.

19Spiritualityisnotwhatweunderstandbythewords"virtue"and"goodness."Itisthepowerof
perceivingformless,spiritualessences.
20ThediscoveryandrightuseofthetrueessenceofBeingthisisthewholesecretoflife.

21Whendesireisforthepurelyabstractwhenithaslostalltraceortingeof"self"thenithas
becomepure.

22AdeptsarerareastheblossomoftheUdumbaratree.

23Theoneeternal,immutablelawoflifealonecanjudgeandcondemnmanabsolutely.

24WillandDesirearebothabsolutecreators,formingthemanhimselfandhissurroundings.

25WillcreatesintelligentlyDesireblindlyandunconsciously.

26Manmakeshimselfintheimageofhisdesires,unlesshecreateshimselfinthelikenessofthe
Divine,throughhiswill,thechildofthelight.

27Theosophyisthevehicleofthespiritthatgivethlifeconsequently,nothingdogmaticcanbe
Theosophical.

28Somepluckthefruitsofthetreeofknowledgetocrownthemselvestherewith,insteadofplucking
themtoeat.

29Itisnotnecessaryfortruthtoputonboxinggloves.

30Youcannotbuildatempleoftruthbyhammeringdeadstones.Itsfoundationsmustprecipitate
themselveslikecrystalsfromthesolutionoflife.

JULY.
"Themind,enlightened,castsitsgriefaway!"

"Itisnottobeknownbyknowledge!man
Wottethitnotbywisdom!learningvast
Haltsshortofit!Onlybysoulitself
Issoulperceivedwhenthesoulwillsitso!
Thereshinesnolightsaveitsownlighttoshow
Itselfuntoitself!"

THESECRETOFDEATH(fr.TheKathaUpanishad).

1Onecannotfillavacuumfromwithinitself.

2Whenacertainpointisreached,painbecomesitsownanodyne.

3Manyamanwillfollowamisleader.Fewwillrecognizetruthataglance.
4Esteemthattobeeminentlygood,which,whencommunicatedtoanother,willbeincreasedto
yourself.

5Bepersuadedthatthosethingsarenotyourricheswhichyoudonotpossessinthepenetraliaofthe
reasoningpower.

6Asmanypassionsofthesoul,somanyfierceandsavagedespots.

7Nooneisfreewhohasnotobtainedtheempireofhimself.

8Itisthebusinessofamusiciantoharmonizeeveryinstrument,butofawelleducatedmantoadapt
himselfharmoniouslytoeveryfortune.

9Itisexcellenttoimpedeanunjustmanbutifthisbenotpossible,itisexcellentnottoactin
conjunctionwithhim.

10Sinshouldbeabstainedfrom,notthroughfear,butforthesakeofthebecoming.

11Vehementdesiresaboutanyonethingrenderthesoulblindwithrespecttootherthings.

12Manymenwhohavenotlearnttoarguerationally,stillliveaccordingtoreason.

13Theequalisbeautifulineverything,butexcessanddefectdonotappearso.

14Itisthepropertyofadivineintellecttobealwaysintentlythinkingaboutthebeautiful.

15Astwopiecesofwoodmaycometogetherintheocean,andhavingmet,mayseparateagainlike
thisisthemeetingofmortals.

16Youthislikeamountaintorrentwealthislikethedustonone'sfeetmanhoodisfugitiveasawater
droplifeislikefoam.

17Whofulfillsnotdutywithsteadfastmind,dutywhichopenstheportalsofbliss,surprisedbyoldage
andremorse,heisburnedbythefireofgrief.

18Eveninaforesthermitage,sinprevailsovertheunholytherestraintofthesensesinone'sown
house,thisisasceticism.

19Whoperformsarightaction,freefromimpurity,thehouseofthatmanisaforesthermitage.

20Asthestreamsofariverflowon,andreturnnot,sopassawaythedaysandnights,takingawaythe
livesofmen.

21Unenduringareyouth,beauty,life,wealth,lordship,thesocietyofthebelovedletnotthewisebe
deludedbythese.

22Inthisworld,fugitiveastempestdrivenwaves,deathforanotherisarichprizeearnedbyvirtueina
formerbirth.
23Theshadowsofacloud,thefavorofthebase,newcorn,aflower,theselastonlyalittletimesoitis
withyouthandriches.

24LetthewisethinkonwisdomasunfadingandimmortallethimfulfillhisdutyasthoughDeath
graspedhimbythehair.

25Ifevilbesaidofthee,andifitbetrue,correctthyselfifitbealie,laughatit.

26Pagodasaremeasuredbytheirshadows,andgreatmenbytheirenviers.

27Thesagedoesnotsaywhathedoesbuthedoesnothingthatcannotbesaid.

28Themanwhofindspleasureinvice,andpaininvirtue,isstillanoviceinboth.

29Thewisemandoesgoodasnaturallyashebreathes.

30Heisamanwhodoesnotturnawayfromwhathehassaid.

31Theheartofthefoolisinhistonguethetongueofthewiseisinhisheart.

AUGUST.
"Deathhasnopowerth'immortalsoultoslay,
That,whenitspresentbodyturnstoclay
Seeksafreshhome,andwithunlessenedmight
Inspiresanotherframewithlifeandlight.
SoImyself(wellIthepastrecall),
WhenthefierceGreeksbegirtTroy'sholywall,
WasbraveEuphorbus:andinconflictdrear
PouredforthmybloodbeneathAtrides'spear.
TheshieldthisarmdidbearIlatelysaw
InJuno'sshrine,atrophyofthatwar."

DRYDEN'SOVID

1Themanwhoneglectsthetruthhefindsinhissoul,inordertofollowitsdeadletter,isatimeserver.

2Hewhodoesnotrecognizethebreadandsaltisworsethanawildwolf.

3ManwhohasnothesitatedtoprojecthisimageinspaceandcallittheCreator,sculptednottoendow
Godwithhisownvices.

4Hewhohasbeenoncedeceived,dreadsevil,andsuspectsitevenintruth.

5Krishna,thegoldenhairedgod,repliednottotherevilingoftheKingofChedi.Totheroarofthe
tempest,andnottothejackal'showl,theelephanttrumpetsareply.
6Notthetenderpliantgrassisuprootedbythestorm,buttheloftytrees.Themightywaronlywiththe
mighty.

7Thesandaltreehassnakesthelotustank,alligatorsinhappinessthereisenvy.Therearenounmixed
pleasures.

8Nocreature,nothingisfreefromevil.Thesandaltreehasitsrootssappedbysnakes,itsblossoms
attackedbybees,itsbranchesbrokenbymonkeys,itstopeatenbybears.Nopartofitissecurefrom
pain.

9Grievenotaboutthysustenancenaturewillsupplyit.Whenacreatureisborn,themother'sbreast
suppliesmilk.

10Whogavetheswanhiswhiteness,theparrothiswingsofgoldengreen,thepeacockhisirishues?
Willnotthatwhichprovidedforthemprovideforthee?

11Allgoodfortunebelongstohimofcontentedmind.Isnotthewholeearthleathercoveredforhim
whowearsshoes?

12Thisworldisavenomoustree,bearingtwohoneysweetfruits:thedivineessenceofpoetryandthe
friendshipofthenoble.

13Bythefallofwaterdropsthepitcherisgraduallyfilledthisisthecauseofwisdom,ofvirtue,andof
wealth.

14Letonewhowouldliveinthememoryofhisfellowmen,makeeverydayfruitfulbygenerosity,
study,andnoblearts.

15Noplungeinclearcoolwaterdelightssomuchtheheatoppressed,nopearlnecklacethemaiden,as
thewordsofthegooddelightthegood.

16Goodmenvary.Somearelikecocoanuts,fullofsweetmilkothers,likethejujube,externally
pleasing.

17Likeanearthenvessel,easytobreak,hardtoreunite,arethewickedthegoodarelikevesselsof
gold,hardtobreakandquicklyunited.

18Benotafriendtothewickedcharcoalwhenhot,burnswhencold,itblackensthefingers.

19Shunhimwhosecretlyslanders,andpraisesopenlyheislikeacupofpoison,withcreamonthe
surface.

20Achariotcannotgoononewheelalonesodestinyfailsunlessmen'sactscooperate.

21Thenobledelightinthenoblethebasedonotthebeegoestothelotusfromthewoodnotsothe
frog,thoughlivinginthesamelake.

22Likemoonbeamstremblingonwater,trulysuchisthelifeofmortals.Knowingthis,letdutybe
performed.

23Batheintheriverofthesoul,Oman,fornotwithwateristhesoulwashedclean.

24Thepuresoulisariverwhoseholysourceisselfcontrol,whosewateristruth,whosebankis
righteousness,whosewavesarecompassion.

25Ofagifttobereceivedorgiven,ofanacttobedone,timedrinksuptheflavor,unlessitbequickly
performed.

26Whentheweakmindedisdeprivedofwealth,hisactionsaredestroyed,likerivuletsdriedupinhot
seasons.

27Hewhowantsafaultlessfriend,mustremainfriendless.

28Eatanddrinkwithyourfriends,butdonottradewiththem.

29Withouttroubleonegetsnohoney.Withoutgriefandsorrownoonepasseshislife.

30Vinegardoesnotcatchafly,buthoney.Asweettonguedraweththesnakeforthfromtheearth.

31Whatgoodisadvicetoafool?

SEPTEMBER.
"Shalltherenotbeasgooda'then'as'now'?
Haplymuchbetter...ThereforefearInot
Andtherefore,HolySir!mylifeisglad,
Nowiseforgettingyetthoseotherlives
Painfulandpoor,wickedandmiserable,
WhereontheGodsgrantpity!Butforme,
WhatgoodIsee,humblyIseektodo,
Andliveobedienttothelaw,intrust
Thatwhatwillcome,andmustcome,shallcomewell."

LIGHTOFASIA,Bk.6.

1TohimwhohassubduedselfbySELF,hisselfisafriendbuttohimwhohasnotsubduedsensesby
mind,thatselfisanenemy.

2Theeyeisawindowwhichlooksintotheheart.Thebrainisadoorthroughwhichheartescapes.

3Devotionandclearvisionarenothiswhoeatstoomuch,norhiswhoeatsnotatallnothiswho
sleepstoomuch,norhiswhoistooawake.

4Attheendofalifeofstudy,themanpossessedofknowledgeapproachesDeityandattheendof
manylives,thewisemanbecomesonewiththeALL.

5Griefandwrath,avariceanddesire,delusionandlaziness,vindictivenessandvanity,envyandhatred,
censoriousnessandslanderarethetwelvesinsdestructiveofman'sbliss.

6Thewolfchangeshiscoat,andtheserpenthisskin,butnottheirnature.

7Theyoungoftheravenappearstoitanightingale.

8Thedoghowlsatthemoon,butthemoonheedsitnotbelikethemoon.

9Letyoursoulworkinharmonywiththeuniversalintelligence,asyourbreathdoeswiththeair.

10Letnobitternessfindentranceintotheheartofamother.

11Pervertnottheheartofamanwhoispure,forhewillturnthineownfirstenemy.

12Donotmakeawickedmanthycompanion,oractontheadviceofafool.

13Savenotthylifeattheexpenseofanother's,ashewilltaketwoofthylivesinfuturebirths.

14Mocknotthedeformedassumenotaprouddemeanorwiththyinferiorshurtnotthefeelingsofthe
poorbekindtothoseweakerthanthyself,andcharitabletoallbeings.

15Sacrificenotthyweakerchildtothestronger,butprotecthim.

16Amusenotthyselfattheexpenseofthosewhodependonthee.Mocknotavenerableman,forheis
thysuperior.

17Deathisablackcamelthatkneelsateverybody'sdoor.Deathisafriendandadeliverer.

18Alittlehillinalowplacethinksitselfagreatmountain.

19Menaregnomescondemnedtoforcedtoilsinthekingdomofdarkness(orignorance).

20Wearethetruetroglodytes,cavedwellers,thoughwecallourcaverntheworld.

21Livingforagesinthenightrealm,wedreamthatourdarknessisfullday.

22Alllifeisbutaperpetualpromiseanengagementrenewed,butneverfulfilled.

23Manisaking,dethroned,andcastoutfromhiskingdominchainsandinadungeon.

24Theheartofabeggarwillnotbecontentwithhalftheuniverseheisnotborntoapart,buttothe
whole.

25Ourlifeistheanteroomofthepalacewhereourtruetreasureliesimmortality.

26Uselesstoseektoseizetheoceanecho,byclaspingtheshellinwhichitlieshidasuselesstotryto
seizethisessence,bygraspingtheforminwhichforamomentitshone.

27Whentheleadencloudsclashtogether,thefairglimpseofheavenisshutout.

28Whenthesilencefallsuponus,wecanhearthevoicesofthegods,pointingoutinthequietlightof
divinelawthetruepathforustofollow.

29Alltheairresoundswiththepresenceofspiritandspirituallaws.

30Thespirititis,that,underthemyriadillusionsoflife,workssteadilytowardsitsgoalsilently,
imperceptibly,irresistibly,movingontodivinity.

OCTOBER.
Theconsciousnessofgood,whichneithergold,
Norsordidfame,norhopeofheavenlybliss,
Canpurchasebutalifeofresolutegood,
Unalterablewill,quenchlessdesire
Ofuniversalhappinesstheheart
Thatbeatswithitinunisonthebrain
Whoseeverwakefulwisdomtoilstochange
Reason'srichstoresforitseternalweal.
This"commerce"ofsincerestvirtueneeds
Nomediativesignsofselfishness,
Nojealousintercourseofwretchedgain,
Nobalancingsofprudence,coldandlong:
Injustandequalmeasureallisweighed
Onescalecontainsthesumofhumanweal,
Andone,THEGOODMAN'SHEART!

SHELLEY.

1TheglamourofTimeconcealsfromtheweaksoulsofmenthedarkabyssesaroundthem,theterrible
andmightylawswhichincessantlydirecttheirlives.

2Thereisnodeathwithoutsin,andnoafflictionwithouttransgression.

3Man'sactionsaredivided,asregardstheirobject,intofourclassestheyareeitherpurposeless,
unimportant,orvain,orgood.

4Thesuncausesdayandnight,divineandhuman.Nightisforthesleepofbeings,dayforthe
performanceoftheirduty.

5Ifwewereconvincedthatwecouldnevermakeourcrookedwaysstraight,weshouldforever
continueinourerrors.
6Wheretherearenotvirtueanddiscrimination,learningisnottobesownthere,nomorethangood
seedinbarrensoil.

7Ateacherismorevenerablethantensubteachersafather,thanonehundredteachersamother,than
athousandfathers.

8Letnotaman,eventhoughpained,besourtempered,nordeviseadeedofmischieftoanother.

9Oneisnotagedbecausehisheadisgrey:whoever,althoughayouth,haswisdom,himthegods
consideranelder.

10Awisemanshouldevershrinkfromhonorasfrompoison,andshouldalwaysbedesirousof
disrespectasifofambrosia.

11Thoughdespised,onesleepswithcomfort,withcomfortawakes,withcomfortlivesinthisworld
butthescornerperisheth.

12Trustnotinbusinessoneevercaughtasleepbythesunrisingorsetting,fortherebyheincursgreat
sin.

13Thosewhoprefertoswiminthewatersoftheirignorance,andtogodownverylow,neednotexert
thebodyorhearttheyneedonlyceasetomove,andtheywillsurelysink.

14Asamandiggingcomestowater,soazealousstudentattainsuntoknowledge.

15Agoodmanmayreceivepureknowledgeevenfromaninferiorthehighestvirtuefromthelowest.

16Ambrosiamaybeextractedevenfrompoisonelegantspeechevenfromafoolvirtueevenfroman
enemyandgoldfromdross.

17Whoeveroffersnotfoodtothepoor,raimenttothenaked,andconsolationtotheafflicted,isreborn
poor,naked,andsuffering.

18Asasowergetsnothisharvestifhesowseedinsaltsoil,sothegivergetsnofruitbybestowingon
theunworthy.

19Therearethreethingsofwhichonenevertires:health,lifeandwealth.

20Amisfortunethatcomethfromonhighcannotbeavertedcautionisuselessagainstthedecreesof
Fate.

21Theworstofmaladiesisenvythebestofmedicinesishealth.

22Threethingscanneverbegotwiththreethings:wealth,withwishingforityouth,withcosmetics
health,withmedicine.

23Triflingruinsearnestness,lyingistheenemyoftruth,andoppressionpervertsjustice.
24Cautioncanneverincurdisgraceimbecilitycanneverbringhonorwithit.

25Whomsoeverrichesdonotexalt,povertywillnotabase,norcalamitycasthimdown.

26Nightanddayarethesteedsofmantheyhurryhimon,nothethem.

27Whosoheedsnotaplaint,confesseshisownmeannessandwhosomakesameritofhischarity,
incursreproach.

28Therearefourthingsofwhichalittlegoesonalongway:pain,poverty,error,andenmity.

29Hewhoknowsnothisownworth,willneverappreciatetheworthofothers.

30Whosoeverisashamedofhisfatherandmother,isexcludedfromtheranksofthewise.

31Hewhoisnotlowlyinhisownsight,willneverbeexaltedinthesightofothers.

NOVEMBER.
"AslargeasistheunboundedUniverse,
Solargethatlittle,hiddenSpiritis!
TheHeavensandEarthsareinit!Fireandair,
Andsunandmoonandstarsdarknessandlight,
Itcomprehends!WhatevermakethMan,
Thepresentofhim,andthepastofhim,
Andwhatshallbeofhimallthoughtsandthings
LiefoldedintheeternalvastofIt!"

THESECRETOFDEATH(fr.TheKathaUpanishad).

1Ineveryblessingthinkofitsend,ineverymisfortunethinkofitremoval.

2Ifjusticepredominatesnotoverinjusticeinaman,hewillspeedilyfallintoruin.

3Vainhopescutmanofffromeverygoodbuttherenunciationofavaricepreventseveryill.

4Patienceleadstopower,butlustleadstoloss.

5Bywisdomisthegiftofknowledgedisplayedbyknowledgearehighthingsobtained.

6Incalamityaremen'svirtuesproved,andbylongabsenceistheirfriendshiptested.

7Thatmanwhoaccuratelyunderstandsthemovementandthecauseoftherevolutionsofthewheelof
lifeisneverdeluded.

8Daysendwithsunset,nightswiththerisingofthesuntheendofpleasureisevergrief,theendof
griefeverpleasure.

9Allactionendsindestructiondeathiscertainforwhateverisborneverythinginthisworldis
transient.

10Ininformationisshownthewitofman,andintravelishistempertried.

11Inpovertyisbenevolenceassayed,andinthemomentofangerisaman'struthfulnessdisplayed.

12Bytruthaloneisman'smindpurified,andbyrightdisciplineitdothbecomeinspired.

13Byshakinghandswithdeceit,oneistossedonthebillowsoftoil.

14Fearofjudgmentwilldeterfromwrong,buttriflingwithitleadstodestruction.

15Anactmayseemright,butitisbyitsresultsthatitspurposeisshown.

16Intelligenceisshownbygoodjudgment.

17Learningclearsthemind,andignorancecobwebsit.

18Whosotakesgoodadviceissecurefromfallingbutwhosorejectsit,fallethintothepitofhisown
conceit.

19Byatrustyfriendismansupportedinlife,andbyrewardarefriendshipsincreased.

20Whosocannotforgivewrongdonetohimshalllearntoknowhowhisgooddeedsareundoneby
himself.

21Hewhobestowsbountyonmankind,makesofmankindhisdebtorinafuturebirth.

22Theenviousmanisneversatisfied,norcanheeverhopetobecomegreat.

23Themoreamanclotheshimselfinmodesty,thebetterdoesheconcealhisfaults.

24Thebestpolicyforamanisnottoboastofhisvirtues.

25Thekindestpolicyforastrongmanisnottoflourishhispowerinthesightofaweakerman.

26Thecontentiousmaninducesantagonismpeoplecannotoftenrepressangerwhencontendingwith
fools.

27Intelligenceisnotshownbywittywords,butbywiseactions.

28Oftheeloquenceofthepleasantspeakerallmenareenamored.

29Crafthasthebestofmenboldnessconquerscitiesthefirstisdespised,thelastadmired.

30Thebravemanofwhoseprowessallmenstandinneed,willneverbedistressedbyadversaries.
DECEMBER.
"Ringouttheold,ringinthenew,
Ring,happybells,acrossthesnow:
Theyearisgoing,lethimgo
Ringoutthefalse,ringinthetrue.

"Ringoutthegriefthatsapsthemind,
Forthosethathereweseenomore
Ringoutthefeudofrichandpoor,
Ringinredresstoallmankind."

TENNYSON(InMemoriam)

1Themostpreciousgiftreceivedbymanonearthisdesireforwisdom.

2Inhealthandwealthmanisneverinwantoffriends.Truefriends,however,arethosewhoremain
whentheyareneeded.

3Ofalltheanimalsonearth,manalonehasthefacultyofcausingmoraltrouble.

4Mancontainsthreekindsofevil:theevilcausedbyhis(lower)naturetheevildonebymantoman
andtheevilcausedbymantohimself.

5Agreatmanishewhoisproofagainstflattery,vanity,injustice,andtheloveofpompandpower.

6Thewisemanishewhocaneithertakeorleavethosesocallednecessitiesoflifewithwhichother
peopleareintemperate.

7Toholdonwithfortitudeinonecondition,andsobrietyintheother,isaproofofagreatsoulandan
impregnablevirtue.

8Leteveryactionbedonewithperfectgravity,humanity,freedom,andjustice,andperformitas
thoughthatactionwereyourlast.

9Amancanrarelybeunhappybybeingignorantofanother'sthoughtsbuthethatdoesnotattendto
themotionsofhisowniscertainlyunhappy.

10Donotletaccidentsdisturb,oroutwardobjectsengrossyourthoughtsbutkeepyourmindquietand
disengaged,tobereadytolearnsomethinggood.

11Manageallyouractions,words,andthoughtsaccordingly,sinceyoucanatanymomentquitlife.

12Whatmattersdying?Ifthegodsareinbeing,youcansuffernothing,fortheywilldoyounoharm.

13Andifthegodsarenot,ortakenocareofmortalswhy,then,aworldwithoutgodsisnotwortha
man'swhiletolivein.

14Thebeingofthegods,andtheirconcerninhumanaffairs,isbeyonddispute.

15Rememberthatlifeiswearingoff,andasmallerpartofitisleftdaily.

16Dependnotuponexternalsupports,norbegyourtranquillityofanother.Inaword,neverthrow
awayyourlegstostanduponcrutches.

17Ifyouexamineamanthathasbeenwelldisciplinedandpurifiedbyphilosophy,youwillfind
nothingthatisunsound,false,orfoulinhim.

18Lifemovesinaverynarrowcompassyes,andmenliveinasmallcorneroftheworldtoo.

19Poortransitorymortalsknowlittleevenofthemselves,muchlessofthosewhodiedlongbeforetheir
time.

20Deathandgenerationarebothmysteriesofnature,andresembleeachotherthefirstdoesbut
dissolvethoseelementsthelatterhadcombined.

21Donotsupposeyouarehurt,andyourcomplaintceases.Ceaseyourcomplaint,andyouarenot
hurt.

22Thatwhichdoesnotmakemanworse,doesnotmakehislifeworseasaresult,hehathnoharm
eitherwithinorwithout.

23Atpresentyournatureisdistinctbuterelongyouwillvanishintothewhole:youwillbereturned
intothatuniversalreasonwhichgaveyouyourbeing.

24Dobutreturntotheprinciplesofwisdom,andthosewhotakeyounowforamonkeyorawildbeast
willmakeagodofyou.

25Donotactasifyouhadtenthousandyearstothrowaway.Deathstandsatyourelbow.Begoodfor
something,whileyoulive,anditisinyourpower.

26Hethatissoanxiousaboutbeingtalkedofwhenheisdead,doesnotconsiderthatallwhoknew
himwillquicklybegone.

27Ifyoudependtooservilelyuponthegoodwordofotherpeople,youwillbeunworthyofyourown
nature.

28Whateverisgoodhasthatqualityfromitselfitisfinishedbyitsownnature,andcommendationis
nopartofit.

29Donotrunriotkeepyourintentionshonest,andyourconvictionssure.

30Hethatdoesamemorableaction,andthosewhoreportit,areallbutshortlivedthings.
31PutyourselffranklyintothehandsofFate,andletherspinyououtwhatfortuneshepleases.

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