Original Document

#3: "...Be helpful to the suffering and compassionate to the helpless. Comfort the downhearted and aid the oppressed. As you would like God to be towards you, so should you be towards others also."

#13: "You should do, will, and intend nothing in word and deed, except that which will be joyful, useful, beneficial and edifying to your neighbor. Any you should judge not between yourself and your neighbor: so that you do not give yourself too mild or your neighbor too severe a judgment."

#17: "You should occupy your whole life with nothing else, than to love only God with your whole heart above all seen and unseen, created and uncreated things. ..."

#18: "Do not act hastily whether in good or bad judgment, until you know what its purpose and result will be. ...Therefore proceed carefully in all matters, and do not take on someone else's concerns whereby you make a shambles of your own."

#44: "Do not be a slanderer among your people, else you will not ascend the mountain of God. Above all things love righteousness and truth with all your heart; and do not speak with a forked tongue,...Say or think nothing bad about another, or you will be the same as you speak or think. For whoever is evil, thinks evil, and whoever is good, thinks good."

#49: "Everything which presents itself to you, be it small or great, prosperous or lean, severe or mild, should not cause you to be moved by too great a joy nor too great a sorrow; rather balance. ..."

#53: "...For it is written: that man will have to answer for each idle word. Hear not what you may not repeat. And that which you do not like to hear, say not to another. ..."

#54: "Be good and merciful, and have compassion for the suffering. In all your actions, be mindful of the rewards which await you in your work. Judge no one until you know what that one is thinking, perhaps he has a good motive: therefore take care that you do not condemn an innocent man."

#58: "...Whoever turns towards himself cannot embrace God's image, and must remain without comfort and always be alone. However, he who denies himself, can be counseled by God himself; we accomplish nothing, even though we do valiant deeds."

#64: " ...O what a treasure a soul can gain as it remains quiet without complaint! Whoever would nourish friendship with God, must be friendly even amidst pain, and not offend God when his cup is filled with bitterness."

#77: "Whoever uses his tongue prudently (carefully) is a wise man: whoever follows his thoughts is a fool. Whoever looks after his own will-being, loses his soul: whoever neglects himself and is not concerned for himself, will find himself again in God."

#80: "All that glitters is not gold, nor is all that appears black, coal. The loveliest thing on earth appeared in an ugly form: do you wish that to be your lot, then you must become balanced. ..."

#87: "In all things be careful and thoughtful, and dwell only on those things which benefit your salvation and peace. ..."

#92: Do not be a tell-tale, nor a backbiter, rather be pure in heart for God. ..."

#113: "Whoever does not with his whole heart hang onto what God's word and Jesus" teaching direct, is off on the true path; even though he would do great heroic deeds. ..."

#126: "Although I am already greatly burdened, and bear my cross the whole day, God will advise me in my misery and help my poor affairs. ..."

#160: "Whoever is wise by himself is a fool, for all wisdom comes from God; and those who love him, honor the same."

#186: "At all times listen rather than speak, for the ears of the wise are attentive; but the fool's heart is on his tongue."

#209 "Do not make light for the blind, nor say many words to the deaf. For the expense is in vain and the effort is lost. Yet cause him no offense; so that you in no way must bear guilt."

#224: "Whoever serves God with half a heart, will receive worms and moths for his wages."


Credit: Conrad Beissel, Some Theosophical Maxims, or, Rules of the Solitary Life, translated by Michele Long, Ephrata Cloister Associates, 1991.