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

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THE SPIRITS’ BOOK
prove refractory, the greater number only need to be suitably cultivated in order to yield good fruit.
(872.)
Man desires to be happy, and this desire. implanted in him by nature, prompts him to labour unceasingly
to improve his condition upon the earth. and to seek out causes of the evils that afflict him, in order to
remove them, when he toughly comprehends that selfishness Is one of those causes, that it engenders the
pride, ambition, cupidity, envy, hatred, jealousy. by which he is continually annoyed, that it brings
trouble into all the social relations, provokes dissensions, destroys confidence, converts friends into foes,
and obliges each individual to remain constantly on the defensive against his neighbour, he will see that
this vice is incompatible, not only with his own felicity, but even with his own security ; and the more he
has suffered from it, the more keenly will he feel the necessity of fighting against it, as he fights against
pestilence, dangerous animals, and every other source of disaster, for he will be compelled to do so in view
of his own interest. (784.)
Selfishness is the source of all the vices, as charity is the source of all the virtues. To destroy the one, to
develop the other, should be the aim of all who desire to insure their own happiness, in the present life, as
in the future.
Characteristics of the Virtuous Man.
918. By what signs can we recognise a man as having accomplished the progress that will
raise him in the spirit-hierarchy?
"The elevation of an incarnated spirit is proved by the conformity of all the acts of his
corporeal life with the law of God, and by his comprehension of spiritual life."
The truly virtuous man is he who practises the law of justice, love, and charity, in its greatest purity. If he
interrogates his conscience in regard to the acts accomplished by him. he will ask himself whether he has
done nothing wrong, whether he has done all the good in his power, whether no one has cause to complain
of him, and whether he has done to others all that he would wish others to do to him. Being filled with the
sentiment of charity and kindness for all, he does good for its own sake, without hope of reward. and
sacrifices his own interest to justice.
He is kind, benevolent, humane, for all, because he sees a brother in every man, whatever his race or his
belief.
If God has given him power and riches, he considers them as A TRUST confided to him for the general
good; he Is not vain of them, for he knows that God. who has given them to him, can take them from him.
If the constitution of society has made other men dependent on him, he treats them with kindness and
benevolence, as being his equals in the sight of God; he uses his authority to raise them morally, and not
to crush them by his pride.
He is indulgent for the weaknesses of others, knowing that he too needs indulgence, and remembering the
Words of Christ, “Let him that is without sin cast the first stone."
He is not vindictive, but remembers only benefits; following the example of Jesus, he forgives all offences,
for he knows that he will only obtain forgiveness in proportion as he has forgiven.
He respects the rights of others, as established by the law of nature, as scrupulously as he desires those
rights to be respected in his own case.
Self - Knowledge.
919. What is the most efficacious method of ensuring one's own moral improvement in the
present life, and resisting the attraction of evil?
"One of the sages of antiquity has told you: 'Know thyself.' "