A Brahmin Guide for Living a Noble Life. Adapted from The Economy of Human Life, translated from an ancient Brahmin manuscript by Robert Dodsley, published in 1839.
COMMUNE
Commune with
yourself and consider for what reason you were made. Contemplate your powers,
your wants, and your connections — so that you shall discover the duties of
life and be directed in all your ways.
Proceed not to
speak or to act before you have weighed your words and examined the tendency of
every step you will take. By doing so, disgrace shall fly far from you, and in
your house, shame shall be a stranger; repentance shall not visit you, nor
sorrow dwells upon your cheek.
The thoughtless person speaks at random. They are entangled in the foolishness of their own words. They are like the person who runs in haste and leaps over a fence, only to fall into a pit on the other side, which they did not see — for they plunge suddenly into any action, not having considered the consequences. Hearken therefore unto the voice of Consideration. Her words are the words of wisdom, and her paths shall lead you to truth and safety.
MODESTY
The first step toward being wise is to know that you are ignorant. And if you would not be thought foolish in the judgment of others, cast off the folly of being wise in your own self-admiration. As a plain garment best adorns a beautiful body, so is good behavior the greatest ornament of wisdom.
The speech of a modest man and woman gives luster to truth, and the prudence of their words absolves any error. They rely not simply on their own wisdom, but weigh the counsel of a friend, and receive the benefits.
On the other
hand, consider the vain individual, and observe the arrogance. They are rude to
their subordinates; they despise the judgment of others; they rely solely on
their own opinions and are confounded when things go wrong.
APPLICATION
Since the days
of the past are gone forever, and those that are to come may not come to you,
it is important to take advantage of the present time, without regretting the
loss of that which is in the past or depending too much on that which is to
come. This
moment in time is yours; the next is in the womb of the future, and you know
not what it may bring forth.
Whatever you
resolve to do, do it quickly. Defer not till the evening what the morning may
accomplish. Idleness is the parent of want and pain, but the labor of virtue
brings forth pleasure. The hand of diligence defeats wants. Prosperity and
success are the attendants of the industrious.
Have you ever
asked yourself how is it that someone has acquired wealth; has risen to power;
has clothed themselves with honor, is praised by many, and is sought after for
their counsel? They are the person who rises up early and lies down late; who
exercises their mind with contemplation and their body with action and
preserves the health of both.
The lazy person
is a burden to themselves. Their hours hang heavy upon their head. They loiter
about and know not what they should do. Their thoughts are confused. They long
for knowledge but have no application. Their days pass away like the shadow of
a cloud, and they leave behind them no mark for remembrance.
EMULATION.
If your soul
yearns for honor (if your ear seeks the voice of praise), raise yourself from
the earth which you were made, and exalt your aim to something that is praiseworthy. The oak that now spreads its branches towards the heavens, was once but
an acorn in the bowels of the earth.
Endeavor to be
first in your calling, whatever it may be. Neither let anyone go before you in
doing good. However, do not envy the merits of another person, but improve your
own talents. Do not weaken competitors by dishonest or unworthy methods. Strive
to raise yourself above them only by excelling them — thus your contest for
superiority will be crowned with honor, if not with success.
By virtuous
emulation, your spirit is exalted within you. You rise like the palm tree in
spite of oppression. And as an eagle in the firmament of heaven, you soar aloft
and fix your eyes upon the glories of the sun. The examples of eminent men and
women are in your visions at night — and your delight is to follow them all day long.
Form your great
designs now, and rejoice in their execution. And your name will go forth to the
ends of the world.
PRUDENCE
As you work,
remember to hear the words of Prudence; give heed unto her counsel, and store
them in your heart. Her maxims are universal, and all the virtues lean upon
her. She is the guide and mistress of human life.
Put a bridle on
your tongue. Set a guard before your lips, otherwise, the words of your own
mouth will destroy your peace. Whosoever speaks of another person’s failings
with pleasure, shall hear of their own with the bitterness of heart.
Too much
speaking is always followed by repentance, but in silence there is safety. A
talkative person is a nuisance to society. Our ears are sick of their babbling;
the torrent of their words overwhelms conversation.
Boast not of
yourself, for it shall bring contempt upon you; neither deride another, for it
is dangerous. A bitter jest is the poison of friendship. And the person that
cannot restrain their tongue, shall have trouble.
Furnish
yourself with the proper accommodations belonging to your circumstances. But do
not spend to the limit of what you can afford. Let, also, not your recreations
be expensive, otherwise, the pain of purchasing them may exceed the pleasure you
have in their enjoyment.
Neither let
prosperity put out the eyes of caution, nor abundance cut off the hands of
frugality. The person that indulges too much in the luxuries of life, shall
live to lament the want of its necessities.
From the
experience of others, learn wisdom. And from their failings, correct your own
faults. When you have proved to yourself that someone is honest, lock them up
in your heart as a treasure: regard them as a jewel of inestimable price.
Use not today
what tomorrow may want. Neither leaves that to hazard which foresight may
provide for, or care prevent. However, expect not even from prudence infallible
success — for the day knows not what the night may bring forth.
Remember that
the fool is not always unfortunate, nor the wise person always successful — yet
never had a fool a thorough and lasting enjoyment, and never are the wise
wholly unhappy.
FORTITUDE
PERILS and
misfortunes (and want, and pain, and injury) are more or less the certain lots
of every person that comes into the world. It is necessary, therefore, to
fortify early your mind with courage and patience. As the camel bears labor and
heat (and hunger and thirst), through deserts of sand and faints not; so your
fortitude shall sustain you through all perils.
Women and men
of noble spirit possess greatness of soul that is not to be cast down. They
are like a rock on the seashore. They stand firm, and the dashing of the waves does not disturb them. They raise their head like a tower on a hill and the
arrows of Fortune drop at their feet. In a moment of danger, the courage of
their heart sustains them; and the steadiness of their mind bears them
out.
HOPE AND FEAR
THE promises of
hope are sweeter than roses in the bud, while threats of fear are a terror to
the heart. Nevertheless, let not hope allure, nor fear deters you from doing
what is right; thus, you will be prepared to meet all events with an equal
mind.
In all your
undertakings let a reasonable assurance animate your endeavors. If you despair
of success, you will not succeed. Terrify not your soul with vain fears —
neither let your heart sink within you from the phantoms of imagination. From
fear proceeds, misfortune but the one who hopes helps themselves. As the
ostrich when pursued hides its head, but forgets its body; so the fears of a
coward expose them to danger.
If you believe
a thing impossible, your despondency will make it so. But if you persevere, you
will overcome all difficulties. In all your desires let reason go along with
you and fix not your hopes beyond the bounds of probability. Success will thus
attend your undertakings, and your heart will not be vexed with
disappointments.
CONTENTMENT
Do not forget
that your station on earth is appointed by the wisdom of the Eternal — who
knoweth thy heart, who seeth the vanity of all thy wishes, and who often, in
mercy, denies thy requests.
Yet for all
reasonable desires, for all honest endeavors, Divine benevolence has
established (in the nature of things) a probability of success. The uneasiness
you feel, the misfortunes you complain about identify the root from where they
spring — that includes your own folly, your own pride, and your own
ill-tempered actions.
Grumble not
therefore at the whims of God, but correct your own heart: neither say to
yourself, "If I had wealth, or power, or leisure, I should be happy"
— for they all bring with them their own peculiar problems and inconveniences.
Envy not the appearance of happiness in any person, for you do not know their
secret griefs.
To be satisfied
with a little is the greatest wisdom. The person who increases their riches increases their cares: but a contented mind is a hidden treasure, and trouble
finds it not.
However, if you
do not allow the allurements of fortune to rob you of justice, temperance, charity, or modesty, your riches themselves shall not make you unhappy or
less noble.
Virtue is the
race which God has set you to run, and happiness the goal, which none can
arrive at till they have finished their course, and received their crown in the
mansions of eternity.
RICH AND POOR
The person to
whom God has given riches, and blessed them a mind to employ their wealth
alright, is uniquely favored, and highly distinguished. They own their wealth
with pleasure because it affords them the means to do good. They seek out
objects of compassion; they inquire into their wants; they relieve with
judgment, and without ostentation.
They assist and
reward merit. They encourage ingenuity and liberally promote every useful
design. They carry on great works; thus, their country is enriched, and the
laborer is employed. They also consider the link between their belongings and
the laborers who produced them and defraud them not.
The benevolence
of their mind is not checked by their fortune. They rejoice therefore in
abundance and their joy is well-earned.
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