Moral Admonitions

For thousands of years the eternal man has been trying to become a better human being – let us admit it, without much success. The ancient admonitions still hold today: thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal… what might the reason be? Man's incorrigibility, or moral corruption? Is progress a vain dream? However much human life has changed, has nothing changed after all? It is as if moral tasks remained the same in every age, and the wise say: this is because, for all the changing scenery, human existence always brings very similar tasks. Good and evil wrestle within man, and both dwell in him, but if we go deep enough, we find only good.

The right moral stance is perhaps easier to see in the mirror of human weaknesses and faults. Speaking beyond measure drains energy, while fear and nervousness consume man's vital force. Greed, attachment and the desire to possess gravely upset his balance. Worry weakens the heart, while hatred and anger actually produce toxins in the body.

Certain norms may be expected of every member of society, and these guarantee the intellectual and moral minimum on which everyone agrees, which everyone accepts and follows. But whoever takes on greater responsibility must also achieve more. In a world turned upside down, of course, we set ourselves false examples, and yet it matters whether the people and examples we follow are famous or infamous.

Let us cite an ancient system of requirements. The moral code below is addressed to the priesthood of Indian society. The brahmana order is the intellectual class, and it was on them that the greatest number of moral requirements were laid, yet these norms would benefit every human being.

• 1) Faithfully follow virtuous principles! – The moral order is the reflection of man's eternal calling in the norms of everyday life. This is the theoretical foundation, completed in practice by faithfully following the principles. This we may regard as an authentic life.
• 2) Be truthful! – Commitment to truth makes a man irreproachable in character and endows him with extraordinary spiritual strength. It is one important element in disciplining speech, alongside kind words that do not hurt others.
• 3) Discipline the senses through austerity and simplicity! – This counsel is worth more than any legal formula, for it does not reach its aim through threats, but seeks to correct human weaknesses through right practice. Simplicity means taking account of real needs and avoiding excessive consumption – a veritable ancient environmental awareness.
• 4) Free yourself from envy! – How hard it is to rejoice in another's success… Of the many weaknesses, envy is held to be the most dangerous.
• 5) Be forbearing! – Patience springs from recognising our own fate, and on that basis it is easier to accept the tasks we must bear ourselves. If this wise insight is granted, forbearance towards others comes more easily too.
• 6) Do not make enemies! – It is closely bound up with the previous point, for if we accept the inevitable events of life peacefully, we will probably clash with the interests of others as little as possible – and such clashes are the main source of hostile feeling.
• 7) Be a generous giver! – Sharing ought to be a common human trait, and it is a fundamental law that if you give, you also receive. This holds true for the positive and the negative alike: if you give good, you may expect good, and if ill, then ill – even if the results do not follow at once.
• 8) Be resolute and steadfast! – Naturally, one must commit oneself to the social, moral and divine good, and not show resolve in harm or folly. Such a way of life sets an example for others too.
• 9) Practise the prescribed round of sacrifices! – Without sacrifice man cannot be happy, either in this life or in the next. The offering of sacrifice sanctifies human life.
• 10) Use all your intellect for God! – The intellect is one of man's great gifts, and the sanctified intellect aims not only at worldly good but at eternal good.