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DISCOURSE 83
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have all virtues. If you have no strength, you have nothing left in you. Remember this great truth; “If hopes are dupes, fears may be liars"
LEARN TO BE LOFTY.
A certain young man came to Dr. Johnson, a great writer of the 18th century. He said to Doctor Johnson, "I want to become a writer. Kindly show me the way to achieve my ambition".
Johnson said, “Then, you start writing”. "Afterwards what shall I do ? "Publish what you write" “If people make fun of me what shall I do?”
"In that case, give up the hope of achieving anything. You cannot achieve anything”.
"But, sir, I have many virtues and abilities”.
"You are right; but you do not have courage. In the absence of courage, other virtues are futile"
Courage is absolutely necessary if you want to achieve your objectives of Dharma, Artha and Kama and if you want to keep them progressing in your life. Of course, difficulties and impediments will arise. But you have to face those difficulties and impediments with courage, imagination and wisdom.
Most difficulties and impediments do not arise by themselves, naturally. They are your own creation. Sickness is caused by lack of restraint; quarrels arise on account of the absence of balance in your thoughts and actions; poverty arises on account of wasteful expenditure. Contempt appears on account of your indecent behaviour. Afflictions arise on account of disorderliness. All these difficulties arise like dark clouds on account of your own unwisdom. Your unwisdom and your ignobility are the causes for your difficulties. You keep your ignorance growing, thinking that the sinful karmas of your previous life are responsible for your difficulties and you keep increasing your ignobility and ignorance.
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