Submitted by SALAAM - Presider on
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The following is from The Teachings of Zoroaster.
The sage asked the Spirit of Wisdom thus: "How is it possible to seek maintenance and prosperity of the body without injury of the soul, and the preservation of the soul without injury of the body?"
The Spirit of Wisdom answered thus: "Him who is less than thee consider as an equal, and an equal as a superior, and a greater than him as a chieftain, and a chieftain as a ruler. And among rulers one is to be acquiescent, obedient, and true-speaking; and among accusers be submissive, mild, and kindly regardful.
"Commit no slander; so that infamy and wickedness may not happen unto thee. For it is said that slander is more grievous than witchcraft.
"Form no covetous desire, so that the demon of greediness may not deceive thee, and the treasure of the world may not be tasteless to thee.
"Indulge in no wrathfulness, for a man when he indulges in wrath becomes then forgetful of his duty and good works . . . and sin and crime of every kind occur unto his mind, and until the subsiding of the wrath he is said to be just like Ahareman. *
"Suffer no anxiety, for he who is a sufferer of anxiety becomes regardless of enjoyment of the world and the spirit, and contraction happens to his body and soul.
"Commit no lustfulness, so that harm and regret may not reach thee from thine own actions.
"Bear no improper envy, so that thy life may not become tasteless.
"Practice no sloth, so that the duty and good work, which it is necessary for thee to do, may not remain undone.
"Choose a wife who is of character, because that one is good who in the end is more respected.
"Thou shouldst be DILIGENT and MODERATE, and EAT OF THINE OWN REGULAR INDUSTRY, and provide the share of the sacred beings and the good; and thus the practice of this in thy occupation is the greatest good work.
"With enemies fight with equity. With a friend proceed with the approval of friends. With a malicious man carry on no conflict, and do not molest him in any way whatever. With a greedy man thou shouldst not be a partner, and do not trust him with the leadership. With an ill-famed man form no connection. With an ignorant man thou shouldst not become a confederate and associate. With a foolish man make no dispute. With a drunken man do not walk on the road. From an ill-natured man take no loan.
"In forming a store of good works thou shouldst be diligent, so that it may come to thy assistance among the spirits.
"Thou shouldst not become presumptuous through any happiness of the world; for the happiness of the world is such-like as a (aloud that comes on a rainy day, which one does not ward off by any hill,
"Thou shouldst not become presumptuous through much treasure and wealth; for in the end it is necessary for thee to leave all.
"Thou shouldst not become presumptuous through great connections and race; for in the end thy trust is on thine own deeds.
"Thou shouldst not become presumptuous through life; for death comes upon thee at last, and the perishable part falls to the ground."
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