treasure the companionship of those that have renounced
the world, and regard avoidance of boastful
and worldly people a precious benefit. At the
dawn of every day he should commune with God,
and with all his soul persevere in the quest of his
Beloved. He should consume every wayward
thought with the flame of His loving mention, and,
with the swiftness of lightning, pass by all else
save Him. He should succour the dispossessed, and
never withhold his favour from the destitute. He
should show kindness to animals, how much more
unto his fellow-man, to him who is endowed with
the power of utterance. He should not hesitate to
offer up his life for his Beloved, nor allow the censure
of the people to turn him away from the
Truth. He should not wish for others that which
he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that
which he doth not fulfil. With all his heart should
the seeker avoid fellowship with evil doers, and
pray for the remission of their sins. He should forgive
the sinful, and never despise his low estate,
for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How
often hath a sinner, at the hour of death, attained
to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal
draught, hath taken his flight unto the celestial
Concourse. And how often hath a devout believer,
