The Economy of Human Life; Translated from an Indian Manuscript (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: 1 BOOK II. THE PASSIONS. CHAP. I. HOPE AND FEAR. The promises of hope are sweeter than roses in the bud, and far more flattering to expectation; but the threateniugs of fear are a terror to the heart. Nevertheless let not hope allure, nor fear deter thee, from doing that which is right; So shalt thou be prepared to meet all events with an equal mind. The terrors even of death are no terrors to the good; he that committeth no evil hath nothing to fear. In all thy undertakings, let a reasonable assurance animate thy endeavors; if thou despairest of success thou shalt not succeed. Terrify not thy soul with vain fears, neither let thine heart sink -within thee from the phantoms of imagination. From fear proceedeth misfortune; but he that hopeth, helpeth himself. As the ostrich, when pursued hideth his head. but forgetteth his body; so the fears of a coward expose him to danger. If thou believest a thing impossible thy despondency shall make it so; but he that persevereth, shall overcome all difficulties. A vain hope flattereth the heart of a fool; but he that is wise pursueth it not. In all thy desires, let reason go along with thee, and fix not thy hopes beyond the bounds of probability; So shall success attend thy undertakings, and thy heart shall not be vexed with disappointments. CHAP. II. JOY AND GRIEF. LET not thy mirth be so extravagant as to intoxicate thy mind, nor thy sorrow so heavy as to depress thy heart. This world affordeth no good so transporting, nor inflicteth no evil so severe as should raise thee far above or sink thee much beneath the balance of moderation. Lo ! yonder standeth the house of joy. It is painted on the out-side, and looketh gay; thou niayest know it by the continual noise of mirth and exultation...