The Sixteenth Chapter

     UNTIL God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself

and in others. Consider it better thus - perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such

patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should

pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly.

     If, after being admonished once or twice, a person does not amend, do not argue with him but

commit the whole matter to God that His will and honor may be furthered in all His servants, for

God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of

others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure.

     If you cannot make yourself what you would wish to be, how can you bend others to your will?

We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults. We wish them to be severely

corrected, yet we will not correct ourselves. Their great liberty displeases us, yet we would not be

denied what we ask. We would have them bound by laws, yet we will allow ourselves to be restrained

in nothing. Hence, it is clear how seldom we think of others as we do of ourselves.

     If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God's sake? But God has so

ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another?s burdens, for there is no man without fault,

no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough. Hence we must support one

another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man?s

virtue is best revealed in time of adversity - adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows

what he is.

     Prabuddha Bharata>>>

     Vedanta Kesari>>>