Theos-Talk Archives (October 2006 Message tt00344)

". . . 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