________________
86
FAITH KNOWLEDGE AND CONDUCT
24-ETHICS That 'virtue is its own reward' is an old saying; and it is quite true. For though virtue may remain unacknowledged and unrewarded by men, it never goes without a reward in regard to the things that really count. He who rids himself of fanaticism and bigotry becomes entitled to Right Faith which comes accompanied by Right Knowledge. He who destroys his evil passions comes into the possession of the spiritual goods that cannot be adequately valued by the finite mind. He who frees himself from all kinds of passions and desires becomes all-knowing, all-perceiving, eternally happy and immortal!
Virtues have not to be acquired; they are the opposites of the evil tendencies of the embodied soul, and arise from within, that is to say, of their own accord, on the destruction of the corresponding vices, as for instance, straightforwardness arises as soon as one make up one's mind to refrain from cheating. You have not to learn how to be good, but only how to cease to be wicked! If I give up anger, I at once become serene and peaceful, without the serenity and the peace standing in need of being purchased or otherwise procured from somewhere !
Thus all goodness comes to him who is prepared to desist from evil, and we know what ultimate results goodness is able to achieve for its devotees !
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
