These (propensities) being at first like ripples become like oceans.
Care must be taken to discriminate between associating with evil companions in order to take part in their pleasures and trying to better by association those who seem to have fallen into ways producing further ignorance and misery. The teaching of Love is far removed from exclusiveness, for it makes no distinction anywhere. Its method is universal sympathy and patience. Self-righteousness is very fatal because it is a very subtle poison. So also is over-confidence, which makes a man think he can do anything because he has no longer any attachment, any risk of really falling into bondage. Both are seated in vanity and bring about cruel and remorseless sequences. A cruelty and remorselessness which at length we know as friends, for only through them would we be taught.
Care must be taken to discriminate between associating with evil companions in order to take part in their pleasures and trying to better by association those who seem to have fallen into ways producing further ignorance and misery. The teaching of Love is far removed from exclusiveness, for it makes no distinction anywhere. Its method is universal sympathy and patience. Self-righteousness is very fatal because it is a very subtle poison. So also is over-confidence, which makes a man think he can do anything because he has no longer any attachment, any risk of really falling into bondage. Both are seated in vanity and bring about cruel and remorseless sequences. A cruelty and remorselessness which at length we know as friends, for only through them would we be taught.