________________
Chapter Wholesome Leanings
After discussing the importance of integrated lifestyle, it is worth considering the nature of support that one gets for such a lifestyle. A virtuous person earns respect and gets support from the family, friends as well as others. A vicious one gets vicious company and gets deeper in vices. A drunkard may love to drink in the company of his colleagues, but those people continue to lean towards him only so far as he affords to spend for the drinks. Those people hardly have strong leaning for anyone.
People generally appreciate virtues; they lean towards the virtuous ones and lend their support in adverse circumstances. Leading a life free from addiction is not only a virtue; it is an austerity which gives credit and gets spontaneous support. Even the unfavorable circumstances turn favorable to them.
There was a virtuous person, who had a like-minded wife. They had a farm; the man used to cultivate it properly and reap good harvest. Once he had to undertake a travel. When he reached the rail station, his train had not arrived. He saw a water tap on another platform and went there to take water. By the time he filled his water bag, he heard the whistle of the arriving train. In order to reach his platform, he crossed the rail track. While he was getting on the platform, the train arrived and his feet were slashed.
113
