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V, 23. BY SPIRITUAL POWER FIXING HIS YEARS. 263
'If in the end the law of entire destruction (is exacted) what use is there in indolence and pride ? Covetous desire (lust) is the greatest (source of sorrow, appearing as a friend in secret 'tis our enemy. 1813
As a fierce fire excited from within (a house), so is the fire of covetous desire: the burning flame of covetous desire is fiercer far than fire which burns the world (world-fire). 1814
'For fire may be put out by water in excess, but what can overpower the fire of lust? The fire which fiercely burns the desert grass (dies out), and then the grass will grow again; 1815
But when the fire of lust burns up the heart, then how hard for true religion there to dwell! for lust seeks worldly pleasures, these pleasures add to an impure karman"; 1816
'By this evil karman a man falls into perdition (evil way), and so there is no greater enemy to man than lust. Lusting, man gives way to amorous indulgence (lit. “lust, then it brings forth love"), by this he is led to practise (indulge in every kind of lustful longing; 1817
'Indulging thus, he gathers frequent sorrow (all sorrow, or accumulated sorrow, referring to the second of the “four truths”). No greater evil (excessive evil) is there than lust. Lust is a dire disease, and the foolish master stops (i.e. neglects) the medicine of wisdom. 1818
*(The study of) heretical books not leading to
mean the only rest given is momentary, no rest from interval, i. e. constant change.
1 The impure karman is, of course, the power of evil (in the character) to bring about suffering by an evil birth.
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| SR No. | 007676 |
| Book Title | Text of Confucianism Part 02 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | James Legge |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1882 |
| Total Pages | 2405 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 43 MB |