Theos-Talk Archives (October 2006 Message tt00134)

". . . no Theosophist should blame a brother whether within or 
outside of the association, throw slur upon his actions or denounce 
him . . . lest he should himself lose the right of being considered 
a theosophist. Ever turn away your gaze from the imperfections of 
your neighbour and centre rather your attention upon your own 
shortcomings in order to correct them and become wiser . . . Show 
not the disparity between claim and action in another man but -- 
whether he be brother or neighbour -- rather help him in his arduous 
walk in life . . . The problem of true theosophy and its great 
mission is the working out of clear, unequivocal conceptions of 
ethic ideas and duties which would satisfy most and best the 
altruistic and right feeling in us; and the modelling of these 
conceptions for their adaptation into such forms of daily life where 
they may be applied with most equitableness . . . . Such is the 
common work in view for all who are willing to act on these 
principles. It is a laborious task and will require strenuous and 
persevering exertion, but it must lead you insensibly to progress 
and leave no room for any selfish aspirations outside the limits 
traced . . . . . Do not indulge in unbrotherly comparisons between 
the task accomplished by yourself and the work left undone by your 
neighbour or brother, in the field of Theosophy, as none is held to 
weed out a larger plot of ground than his strength and capacity will 
permit him . . . Do not be too severe on the merits or demerits of 
one who seeks admission among your ranks, as the truth about the 
actual state of the inner man can only be known to, and dealt with 
justly by KARMA alone. Even the simple presence amidst you of a well-
intentioned and sympathising individual may help you 
magnetically . . . You are the Free-workers on the Domain of Truth, 
and as such, must leave no obstructions on the paths leading to 
it. . . . The degrees of success or failure are the landmark we 
shall have to follow, as they will constitute the barriers placed 
with your own hands between yourselves and those whom you have asked 
to be your teachers. The nearer your approach to the goal 
contemplated the shorter the distance between the student and the 
Master. . . ." 

Quoted in HPB's "The Original Programme of The Theosophical Society"
Online edition at:
http://theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/theos/th-origp.htm