Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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ALLAN KARDEC
910. Can a man obtain efficacious help from spirits in overcoming his passions?
"If he addresses a sincere prayer f('r such help to God and to his good Genius, good spirits
will certainly come to his aid, for it is their mission to do so." (459.)
911. Is not the action of the passions sometimes
withstand them?
so violent that the will is powerless to
"There are many who say 'I will,' but whose willing is only on their lips, and who are not
sorry that what they declare themselves to will does not take place. When a man is unable to
vanquish his passions, it is because, through the backwardness of his spirit. he takes pleasure
in yielding to them. He who controls his passions comprehends his spiritual nature; he knows
that every victory over then is a triumph of his spirit over matter."
912. What is the most efficacious means of combating the Predominance of the corporeal
nature?
"The practice of abnegation."
Selfishness.
913. Which, among the vices, may be regarded as the root of the others?
"Selfishness, as we have repeatedly told you; for it is from selfishness that everything evil
proceeds. Study all the vices, and you will see that selfishness is at the bottom of them all.
Combat them as you will, you will never succeed in extirpating them until. attacking the evil
in its root, you have destroyed the selfishness which is their cause. Let all your efforts tend to
this end; for selfishness is the veritable social gangrene. Whoever would make, even in his
earthly life, some approach towards moral excellence, must root out every selfish feeling
from his heart, for selfishness is incompatible with justice, love, and charity; it neutralises
every good quality."
914. Selfishness having its root in the sentiment of personal interest, it would seem that, to
extirpate pate it entirely from the human heart, must be a very difficult matter. Is it possible
to do so?
"In proportion as men become enlightened in regard to spiritual things, they attach less value
to material things; and as they emancipate themselves from the thraldom of matter, they
reform the human institutions by which selfishment is fostered and excited. Such should be
the aim of education."