Truthfulness Are Considered

The aphorism on this subject goes a little further. The abandonment of animosity against oneself must of course come to an end with the exhaustion of the old collection of debts, but more comes in. There is the tendency for others to reform their ways in one's presence. It is good for us to see the good and to have the company of the good. Indeed, to be good is itself a good deed. In social relations this is a large part of the mutual benefit. Even the illustrations in the newspapers of the slender ladies who look so nice and surely are enjoying health and suppleness (although put there merely to persuade others to buy various articles) are part of our 'company of the good', which is so definitely thought of in India that it enjoys a special name the Satsanga. This benefit is not from imitation, but from emulation, and it is both external and internal. Besides, how could anyone reach a high point of spiritual contemplation if his mind contained low and selfish thoughts ?

The results of truthfulness are considered in the commentaries on the Sutras to be due to truthfulness in both word and thought. The results of actions being subservient to us translated into our own idiom; can only mean that henceforth we shall get what we work for. Why do people so often fail? Chiefly because they have been willing to live in a state of self deception They aim at health, for example, and do something about it, but still spoil the work by various prejudices against the good counsels which are available in the health and physical culture magazines. They will not give up although they know it is harmful they hope it will be all right, and surely just a little will not matte.

Again, people do not measure their karma (circumstances) against their strength. Good sense (truthfulness) would tell them that to be realistic and accept what is, without useless wishing and complaining, and then act according to their best judgment for a reasonable aim in the circumstances, measuring their own ability and strength realistically also, will mostly result in the desired success. But do they follow this good sense, this truthfulness to themselves in thought, first of all No, they complain and fret, and poison the air for others as well as themselves.

Truthfulness in speech is the cement of friendship and social confidence, and whoever breaks that causes wide suspicion, as King Henry V explained with wonderful eloquence and effect in Shakespeare's play.

Jewels approach. It was natural for the simple-living people of India in the old days to think of jewels as wealth. There were no banks to give them interest on their deposited 'savings, and there was generally no thought of accumulating currency, which may perhaps have been in process of depreciation, then as now. Even today the Hindus generally regard the family jewels as their bank. But consider the law of karma as applied to riches. It could be formulated as what you earn you have' - for all time. But if you rob, you lose. If a child comes to birth 'with a silver spoon m his mouth' it is because he has earned it in the past. Qrigen, one of the Christian Church Fathers, had the same idea.