OF THE JUST [1] One who comes hastily to a judgement, cannot be just. He indeed is wise who can distinguish between the just and the unjust. [2] Who judges others in full knowledge, according to law and equity; the wise one who guards the Law is indeed called "the just". [3] One does not become wise by talking much; one is called wise if one is forbearing, without fear or foe. [4] It is not that the more you talk the more you become the upholder of the Law. Even if you hear a little of the Law, but observe it by your body, if you do not deviate from the Law, then you become the upholder of the Law. [5] He is not an Elder whose head has turned grey; he has simply grown in years, he has become old in vain. [6] He is
called an Elder in whom dwell Truth and Law, amity and
self-control and self-restraint, the wise one who is cleansed of all
impurities.
Page – 231 [7] One cannot be saintlike by the finish of one's speech or by the polish of one's complexion if one is jealous and envious and malicious. [8] He indeed is said to be saintlike, he is wise in whom all these things have been eradicated, uprooted from the very bottom, who is cleansed of all impurities. [9] One who does not follow the Path, who speaks untruth, who is full of desire and greed cannot be the saint-mendicant by merely shaving his head. [10] He is the saint-mendicant who has eradicated all impurities, great or small, because of this eradication of impurities. [11] One does not become a saint-mendicant simply by begging alms of others nor by observing all the cults. [12] He indeed is called a saint-mendicant who transcends here below both sin and virtue, remains wholly pure and leads a life of knowledge in the world. [13] One who is foolish and ignorant does not become a Hermit by merely keeping silent. He is wise who holds the balance, as it were. [14] Keeping the good and rejecting the evil: he is a sage because of this, he has a right knowledge of both the worlds. [15] He is not Noble who hurts living creatures; one becomes Noble by not
doing violence to anyone.
Page – 232 [16 & 17] It is not
through moral precepts nor ritual observances nor through much learning nor
through still meditation nor a lonely life nor by thinking. "I
have attained the felicity, the Deliverance which men of the world never
enjoy", that you can be a Disciple. Do not believe it, until you
have achieved the total extinction of desire.
Page – 233
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