Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00540)

Friends, 
 
 
William Penn – who  lived at  the 17th-18th centuries – studied  the art of living  and was a deep  thinker.   

In his work “Some Fruits of Solitude”, the founder of Pennsylvania wrote these words on Ethics: 
 
 
“(144.) Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth; For Equivocation is  half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.”
 
Indeed, Karma Law may take its time, but its compensation will certainly get back  to the source of  every action.   Penn writes more: 
 
“(150.) Do not accuse others to excuse thy  self ; for that is neither Generous nor Just.  But let Sincerity and Ingenuity be thy Refuge, rather than Craft and Falsehood: for Cunning borders very  near to Knavery.  (151.) Wisdom never uses nor wants it. Cunning to Wise, is as an Ape to a Man.” 
 
So cunning is to an ape what wisdom is to a man.  
 
Nice sentence. But what about  Viveka or Discernment, the ability to judge things?   
 
Penn explains: 
 
“ (162.)  Knowledge is the Treasure, but Judgement the Treasurer of a Wise Man.” (1) 
 
 
Careful judgements create good karma. Perhaps the purpose of knowlege is to allow us to make better judgements in life. 
 
 
Regards,   Carlos. 
 
 
NOTE: 
 
(1) “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - The Journal of John Woolman - Fruits of Solitude by William Penn”, P. F. Coillier & Son, New York, copyright 1909, 416 pp., see pp.  353- 355. 
 
 
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