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Thought

Books: Sacred Books Of The East

As a fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight his

trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult

to hold back.



As a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on the dry ground, our

thought trembles all over in order to escape the dominion of Mara, the

tempter.



It is good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold in and flighty,

rus
ing wherever it listeth; a tamed mind brings happiness.



Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive,

very artful, and they rush wherever they list: thoughts well guarded

bring happiness.



Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about alone, is

without a body, and hides in the chamber of the heart, will be free from

the bonds of Mara, the tempter.



If a man's faith is unsteady, if he does not know the true law, if his

peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect.



If a man's thoughts are not dissipated, if his mind is not perplexed, if

he has ceased to think of good or evil, then there is no fear for him

while he is watchful.



Knowing that this body is fragile like a jar, and making his thought

firm like a fortress, one should attack Mara, the tempter, with the

weapon of knowledge, one should watch him when conquered, and should

never rest.



Before long, alas! this body will lie on the earth, despised, without

understanding, like a useless log.



Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a

wrongly-directed mind will do him greater mischief.



Not a mother, not a father, will do so much, nor any other relatives; a

well-directed mind will do us greater service.



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