or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error,
or that hate repel him away from the truth. Even as thou dost witness in
this day how most of the people, because of such love and hate, are bereft
of the immortal Face, have strayed far from the Embodiments of the divine
mysteries, and, shepherdless, are roaming through the wilderness of
oblivion and error. That seeker must at all times put his trust in God,
must renounce the peoples of the earth, detach himself from the world of
dust, and cleave unto Him Who is the Lord of Lords. He must never seek to
exalt himself above any one, must wash away from the tablet of his heart
every trace of pride and vainglory, must cling unto patience and
resignation, observe silence, and refrain from idle talk. For the tongue
is a smouldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison. Material fire
consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart
and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the
effects of the latter endure a century.

That seeker should also regard backbiting as grievous error, and keep
himself aloof from its dominion, inasmuch as backbiting quencheth the
light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul. He should be
content with little, and be freed from all inordinate desire. He should
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 th