Tales of Old Japan - Maybe You Like It

do. To take no care for the examination of that which relates to yourself,
but to look only at that which concerns others, is to cast your heart from
you. Casting your heart from you does not mean that your heart actually
leaves you: what is meant is, that you do not examine your own conscience.
Nor must you think that what I have said upon this point of selfconfidences
applies only to wealth and riches. To rely on your talents, to
rely on the services you have rendered, to rely on your cleverness, to rely
on your judgment, to rely on your strength, to rely on your rank, and to
think yourself secure in the possession of these, is to place yourselves in
the same category with the shell-fish in the story. In all things examine
your own consciences: the examination of your own hearts is above all
things essential.
(The preacher leaves his place.)
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