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

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ALLAN KARDEC
- We fully admit the wisdom of the maxim; but this self-knowledge is just what it is most
difficult to acquire. By what means can we acquire it?
"Do what I myself used to do during my life upon the earth. At the close of each day I
examined my conscience, reviewed all that I had done, and asked myself whether I had not
failed in some duty, whether some one might not have reason to complain of me. It was in
this way that I succeeded in obtaining a know-ledge of myself, and in ascertaining what there
was in me that needed reforming. He who, every evening, should thus recall all the actions of
the day, asking himself whether he has done ill or well, and praying God and his guardian
angel to en-lighten him would acquire great strength for self-improvement, for, believe me,
God would assist him. Ask yourself these questions; inquire of yourself what you have done,
and what was your aim in such and such a manner; whether you have done anything that you
would blame in another; whether you have done anything that you would be ashamed to
avow. Ask yourself also this question -'If it pleased God to call me back, at this moment, into
the other life, should I, on returning into the world of spirits, in which nothing is hidden, have
to dread the sight of any one? Examine what you may have done, first, against God; next,
against your neighbour; and lastly, against yourself. The answers to these questions will either
give repose to your conscience, or show you some moral malady of which you will have to
cure yourself.
"Self-knowledge is, therefore, the key to individual improvement; but, you will ask, 'How is
one to judge one's self? Is not each man subject to the illusions of self-love, which diminish
his faults in his own eyes and find excuses for them? The miser thinks himself to be merely
practising economy and foresight; the proud man thinks his pride to be only dignity.' This is
true, but you have a means of ascertainment that cannot deceive you. When you are in doubt
as to the quality of any one of your actions, ask yourself what would be your judgement in
regard to it if it were done by another? If you would blame it in another, it cannot be less
blameable when done by you, for God's justice has neither two weights nor two measures.
Endeavour also to learn what is thought of it by others; and do not overlook the opinion of
your enemies, for they have no interest in disguising the truth, and God often places them
beside you as a mirror, to warn you more frankly