Nor man nor woman, nor poverty nor sickness, nor Truth cannot proceed from error, nor error from heaven nor earth shall bring us to confusion.
Truth.
The effects of Good appear, though the cause be
Good cannot be the effect of evil, nor evil the effect
forgotten,
of Good.
And its refuge and protection is at hand.
This is little understood.
What can amulets and charms avail ?
But the righteous understand, and, understanding,
What can the muttering of set prayers avail ?
they are glad ;
What can the observance of formal rites avail ?
They rejoice in the Law of Truth.
They cannot avail, they are empty;
The understanding mind is not misled by
They are without efficacy, and are void of
appearances:
protection.
It rejoices in Good against all appearances.
Righteousness avails.
When events press, it does not think, "The Good
The doing of good deeds avails.
has failed ";
A pure heart and a blameless life avail.
When outward things fail, it does not say,
They are filled with joy and peace.
"Righteousness has not supported me ";
Truth is a happy retreat and an eternal protection. When persecution comes, it cannot say, "Lo! Truth In Truth there is no more doubt and uncertainty.
affords me no protection !"
There is safety and security :
Truth is in the thought, and not in the thing ;
There is a straight way and a quiet rest.
It resides in the hearts, and not in the outward habit
2
;
It destroys the inward enemies, and the outward
The righteous know the protection of Truth.
reverses have no more pover;
Their minds are free, and they are happy-hearted. Their sting is gone, their evil is dispersed.
Empty excuses and vain quibbles they harbour not. The peace of the perfect ones can never be
They scheme not how to protect themselves ;
destroyed.
Their deeds are invincible defenders;
Their lives bear witness, and they are not ashamed. 3
The pure in heart are protected from within.
come ;
The perfect indeed are guarded by Good :
And folly walks not where tread the footsteps of
They are upheld by the Good Law.
the wise.
By the knowledge of Truth they are lifted up:
Truth is its own security ;
They stand and do not fall.
It protects without premeditation.
Truth cannot be overtaken by error ;
It dispenses with disguises, and shields by its own
It cannot be overturned by man.
inherent reality.
Error passes away but the Truth remains.
Its light disposes of all darkness ;
Men fall, but the Truth remains.
It exposes the false and reveals the true.
Truth cannot change ;
Error falls before Truth ;
It is eternal and indestructible.
Its shield is shattered, its sword broken ;
Herein is the salvation of the wise ;
Yea, it is laid low, and cannot rise.
Herein is the protection of the pure ;
It is helpless and has nor champion nor defender.
Herein is the joy of the perfect?
Truth does not fall before error.
That, being one with Truth, they have come to
The powerless cannot overcome the powerful.
peace eternal.
The lesser cannot subdue the greater.
He who is one with Truth, reflects Truth.
