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第19章

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1.The Universal Substance is docile and ductile;and the Reason that controls it has no motive in itself to do wrong.For it hath no wrongnes s and doeth no wrong,nor is anything harmed by it.But all things come into being and fulfil their purpose as it directs.

2.Make no difference in doing thy duty whether thou art shivering or warm,drowsy or sleep-satisfied,defamed or extolled,dying or anything else.For the act of dying too is one of the acts of life.So it is enou gh in this also to get the work in hand done well.

3.Look within.Let not the special quality or worth of anything esca pe thee.

4.All objective things will anon be changed and either etherialized into the Universal Substance,if that indeed be one,or dispersed abroad.

5.The controlling Reason knows its own bent and its work and the med ium it works in.

6.The best way of avenging thyself is not to do likewise.

7.Delight in this one thing and take thy rest therein-from social a ct to go on to social act,keeping all thy thoughts on God.

8.The ruling Reason it is that can arouse and deflect itself,make i tself whatever it will,and invest everything that befalls with such a s emblance as it wills.

9.In accordance with the Nature of the Universe is accomplished each several thing.For surely this cannot be in accordance with any other na ture,that either envelops it from without,or is enveloped by it within,or exists in external detachment outside it.

10.Either a medley and a tangled web and a dispersion abroad,or a u nity and a plan and a Providence.If the former,why should I even wish to abide in such a random welter and chaos?Why care for anything else t han to turn again to the dust at last.Why be disquieted?For,do what I will,the dispersion must overtake me.But if the latter,I bow in rever ence,my feet are on the rock,and I put my trust in the Power that rule s.

11.When forced,as it seems,by thine environment to be utterly disq uieted,return with all speed into thy self,staying in discord no longe r than thou must.By constant recurrence to the harmony,thou wilt gain more command over it.