Words of Wisdom (Part 2)

Act in accordance with principal and appropriate legal rulings and not in accordance with stories and fantasies; don’t even consider stories of how things went with others except as a tonic to strengthen your resolve; certainly not as a reference based on the outward forms or of what they seem to be telling us.

In all of this depend upon a clear path you can refer to and a foundation that you can depend upon in all of your states.

Do not take from others, words unless it is in accordance with your own path; but submit to their implications if you desire a realisation.

Avoid all forms of vain and foul speech to your absolute utmost; put aside anything that you cannot discern its benefit immediately.

Beware of being extremely hard on yourself before you have obtained a mastery over it; also beware of being to lax with it in anything that concerns sacred rulings. This is because it is constantly fleeing from moderation in everything and it inches towards extremism in both maters of deviance and guidance (the nature of the self is extremism in both obedience and disobedience).

Seek out a companion to help you out in your affairs and take his counsel concerning matters that occur both in your inward states and your outward affairs. If you do indeed take his companionship; then treat him in a manner that honours his state, and give him of your counsel based upon his inabilities and abilities because the perfected friend is no longer to be found.

Indeed in these times even a suitable companion, who is agreeable, rarely lasts. Beware of the majority of peoples in matters concerning your religious and worldly states, unless you have ascertained he has some sound relationship with his lord based upon a knowledge that is free of his caprice or love of leadership and a sound intellect free of the pitfalls of hidden agendas.

Do not be heedless of the scheming of others or their hidden states. Consider these two from both their origin and their actions. A person of character and family distinction rarely affects you with other than good; yet a person with low origins; roots cause him to disregard you when times get tough.