Life in the World

1. Water is basically pure. When it enters into various plants it becomes sour, pungent, or bitter according to its association with different substances.
2. Similarly, the Self is pure in its own Self-existence, yet due to its association with the body, it get filled up with pride and gets carried away in the wrong direction.
3. If it finds good association it takes on good qualities, similar to how water in sugarcane takes on the quality of sweetness, and when in association with a poisonous plant it becoming deadly to living beings.
4. There are innumerable herbs and plants. How many of their qualities can be described? In the association with many bodies, the Self takes on many qualities.
5. Among those bodies some are good and fortunate. By keeping the company of saints one becomes like the saints through the power of discrimination and gives up and leaves behind the pride for the body.
6. However, when using water as a simile, it can be seen that water becomes tainted by its associations, but with the power of discrimination, the Self is proven to never be tainted. This must be experienced and seen for oneself.
7. For the one who is truly keen to look after his own self-interest, not much needs to be told to him. Everything is understood according to each person's capacity.
8. Understand that the one who cares for one’s own self-interest is his own friend, and one who damages his own self-interest is his own enemy.
9. Who can stop the one who is intent upon doing himself harm? Such a person kills himself in his isolation.
10. One who does not act according to his own best interest is considered to be one who commits suicide, and those who utilize the power of discrimination are considered blessed sages.
11. Those who are virtuous keep the company of good people while those who are without virtue keep the company of bad people. Salvation and downfall depend on the company that one keeps.
12. By keeping the company of the best people one takes care of oneself. Understand and analyze the intellect and inner experience of knowledgeable people.
13. Both the worldly life and spiritual life give happiness to those who are knowledgeable, while the one who is not knowledgeable remains ignorant due to a lack of discrimination.
14. One who is knowledgeable is a man of God while the ignorant one is like a demon. Understand which is superior between the two and take that path.
15. One who is knowledgeable is respected by all, and one who is ignorant is not. Therefore, follow the path that provides blessings and fulfillment in life.
16. By keeping the company of the industrious and wise, one becomes industrious and wise. If one keeps the company of the lazy and foolish, he will also be lazy and foolish.
17. By keeping the company of the best people one gains the fruit of contentment, while sorrow is the fruit of keeping bad company. That being the case, why would one knowingly accept sorrow while dropping the fruit of joy?
18. It is evident everywhere among the people in society that people can be seen living in both ways.
19. On one side one gets the benefits of unity with God, and on the other side there is a lack of union which results in a lack of success everywhere. Therefore, carry on your activities with the support of proper discernment.
20. When one suddenly finds oneself in a difficult situation, he makes an effort to get out of that situation. By removing oneself from such situations, one gains a great sense of contentment.
21. In keeping the company of non-virtuous people the mind gets constantly disturbed. Therefore, be thoughtful about the company you keep.
22. If one's efforts are made wisely, then there will be nothing lacking. Such a person enjoys happiness and contentment and gains acclaim from the public.
23. This is the way of behavior in nature and in the world. One who lives and sees with understanding enjoys contentment.
24. The world is full of people who are like valuable gems. By continuous reflection and thoughtfulness one gains inner understanding and experience.
25. As a rule, it happens that everyday we come across some people who are poor and some who are rich, and some people who are stupid and some who are intelligent.
26. There are some who are fortunate that pass away, and then someone new comes along and becomes fortunate. Similarly, the knowledgeable and educated appear and pass away.
27. One gets filled and another gets emptied, and then that which is emptied gets filled again. And then that which gets filled becomes empty again after some time.
28. Such is the cycle in nature. Prosperity is like a shadow at noon. It passes away slowly as one grows old with age.
29. Everyone experiences that childhood, youth and old age come to all in life. Knowing this, make your life worthwhile.
30. The body behaves in the way that it is made to act. By making efforts the work gets carried out, and results are achieved. There is no reason that one should worry unnecessarily.