delicately it is wrapped. WSD:9:7 Avoid an evil neighbour and a wicked neighbourhood, bearing in mind that a man is judged according to his associations. There are many weak characters who, while not desiring to associate with the wicked or live in their neighbourhood, will do so for benefit or to advance their ends. Unless they are prepared to freely admit their weakness, they are hypocrites. WSD:9:8 Avoid the places of pleasure, which attract the weak and bad characters, for if you associate with them you cannot expect to remain uncontaminated. Bear in mind that the best person to associate with may not be the best companion; and evil places are generally more alluring than the
good.
Chapter Ten - Neighbourly Living
WSD:10:1 When a man holds views directly at variance with those of his neighbours, they are incompatible with harmonious living. He then has to decide whether the right views are held by himself or by his neighbours and, if by his neighbours, he must adjust his own. WSD:10:2 However, if he sees that the views held by his neighbours are wrong or corrupt and degenerate, and he fears he may fall under their influence, he must depart without delay. He must go to another place where the conduct and outlook of his neighbours will be more congenial and compatible with his. It does not matter how far he has to travel.
WSD:10:3 Where there is no one ready to take command in an emergency, or no one prepared to concern himself with the welfare of the neighbourhood, then strive to be a man worthy of the purpose. Do this even if it means having to neglect some study of the Sacred Books, for the man who serves his neighbourhood well serves the cause of good. WSD:10:4 As the whole man suffers for the errors of the hand or tongue, so shall the whole congregation of the righteous suffer for the misdeeds of any one of their number. If a member commits a wrongful act, then the others shall put it right. This is so that every man shall have a feeling of responsibility towards the whole, and that the good name and reputation of the whole shall not suffer for the acts of one person. WSD:10:5 It may be no great wrong if one neighbour gives comfort to another who has committed some misdeed, but if a neighbour aids another in a wrong or covers it for him, he is no better than the wrongdoer. To comfort
and to condone are things far apart. WSD:10:6 Whatever the problems of your neighbourhood, do not isolate yourself from them, for if they concern the welfare of others, they are your concern. Strive to be on friendly terms with all your neighbours, and if you fail, let it not be said that the fault lies with you. WSD:10:7 If you have a neighbour in need, do not be tardy in going to his assistance. If you are not in a position to help, show that you are not indifferent to his predicament. If a neighbour falls into ill favour with the law of the land, do not set yourself up to judge him. If you cannot say anything in
his favour, then hold your peace. WSD:10:8 The laws of the land and of your neighbourhood should be framed towards the maintenance of peace and security, therefore it is your duty not only to abide by them, but also to uphold them. Good laws do not need enforcing among the good, for their goodness declares itself to all, but
oppressive laws chafe upon the neck like a yoke. The goat does not attack the lion, and sometimes bad laws have to be endured with patience for the sake of neighbourly peace. Yet, if the entrance to its hole is threatened, a mouse will not hesitate to attack an elephant, and men are no less courageous.
Chapter Eleven - The Cause and its Champions
WSD: 11:1 The greatest cause any man can serve is that divinely designed for him and intended to be his. It is the cause of mankind, which operates within the Divine Design and bears man upward to the very threshold of
divinity.
WSD: 11:2 In these dark days when many gods wage war among themselves for supremacy and man is divided against himself with the many conflicting beliefs, this cause is voiceless and unchampioned. Yet already, the champion is conceived and lies asleep within the womb of time, awaiting the
hour of birth.
WSD: 11:3 This champion is the Good Religion now safeguarded and cherished by the devoted few during the ages of its conception. This is the religion, which will some day enter the homes and hearts of a despairing humanity. Enshrining the hopes and aspirations of mankind, it will endow them with life and meaning, so that they can rise with man to the mountain tops of divinity. Only the Good Religion will stand forth and declare that man, given a cause sufficiently great, will be unconquerable. WSD: 11:4 While other beliefs appeal for mercy or aid, or beg forgiveness or seek to appease, declaring man to be weak and pitiful, the Good Religion will come to his aid like a life-giving elixir. Its advent will be the morning star heralding a new, brighter day, and, in the light of that day, man will know himself for what he really is and will do the things he must do. He will
then no longer be a child walking in darkness and ignorance, wringing his hands and crying because he is so weak and wicked. He will no longer crawl in the dust of servile humility, begging for mercy or for another to bear the burden of his sins. In the light of the new dawning day, man will be shown what he really is, and the dawn heralds will declare his divinity. Then, from out of the dust long-gathered in the darkness, the new man will arise and stride resolutely forward towards the sunrise. WSD: 11:5 In the days of its awakening, the Good Religion will require leaders, and these will need to be men of exceptional qualities. They will have to devote themselves to its cause without any thought of self- aggrandisement. Many men deceive themselves into thinking their desire for leadership is to benefit others, but in fact, they are really seeking self-esteem and power. Some cannot even see their true incentives or read their innermost thoughts, because of the cloud of hypocrisy, which surrounds them. Such
men are not desirable leaders. WSD: 11:6 The path the Good Religion must tread will not be an easy one, and all who follow it will need to dedicate every effort and the last reserves of resourcefulness to its cause. The faint-hearted will have no place in it, for a cause so great will need the utmost sacrifice of person and purse.
WSD:11:7 There are men who are vainglorious leaders knowing only outward and superficial values. Many such as these cannot even find the right direction or select the best path for themselves; yet, their vanity and ambition prompt them to presume their qualities of leadership. Still, they may be no more to blame than those who support them and follow a road blindly. WSD: 11:8 When men are half-hearted in a cause or indifferent about the achievement of its objective, they are denied a true leader. If the leader is blind, he and those who follow him will end up in the ditch. The true leader is a man, to whom all who follow him can look up in every way. WSD: 11:9 Where there are no true men capable of worthy leadership, strive to be such a man yourself. Where no one is willing to accept responsibility, or to strive and be worthy of it, then take the initiative yourself. In this, there is no arrogance if you dedicate yourself to service and not self-esteem, if you recognise your own shortcomings and limitations.
WSD:11:10 Leadership and example are essential to the advancement of mankind, and where they are lacking, there is certainly no wrong done in their establishment. The criterion of a good leader is his own integrity and
intent.
WSD: 11:11 When support is needed for the cause, it will be no betrayal if the infirm, the sick and the incapable remain inactive because of their inability to contribute anything. Their sincerity and moral support may be all they can give. Those who will be blameworthy are the wealthy or those able to serve who seek exemption by excuses. The man who can give most in any way should be forefront; he should not lag behind or be lax in action.