Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol. 5

[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