The Art Of Living
Wisdom Of The Ancients

 Part 11

The Inclination of a Good Man

Be followers of his compassion, with a good mind, that you also may wear crowns of glory, for the good man has not a dark eye, for be shows mercy to all men, even though they be sinners and though they devise with evil intent concerning him, by doing good he overcomes evil, being shielded by God, and he loves the righteous as his own soul,
If any one is glorified, a good man envies him not, if any one is enriched, he is not jealous, if any one is valiant, he praises him, the virtuous man he laude, on the poor man he has mercy, on the weak he has compassion, unto God he sings praises and to him that has the grace of a good spirit he loves as his own soul. If, therefore you also have a good mind, then will both wicked men be at peace with you, and the reckless will reverence you and turn to good and the covetous will not only cease from their inordinate desire, but even give the objects of their materialism to them that are afflicted. If you do well, even the unclean spirits will flee from you.

Where there is reverence for good works and light in the mind, even darkness flees away from him, for if any one does violence to a holy man, he repents, for the holy man is merciful to his revilers, and holds his peace, and if any one betray a righteous man, the righteous man prays, though for a little while he be humbled, yet not long after he appears far more glorious.
The inclination of the good man is not in the power of the deceit of the spirit of Satan, for the angel of peace guides his soul and he gazes not passionately upon corruptible things, nor gathers together riches through a desire of pleasure. He delights not in pleasure, he grieves not his neighbour, he surrounds not himself with luxuries, and he errs not in the uplifting of his eyes, for the Lord is his portion. The good inclination receives not glory or dishonour from men, and it knows not any guile, or lie, or fighting or reviling, for the Lord dwells in him and lightens up his soul, and he rejoices towards all men always.

Part 12
The Good Mind