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

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THE SPIRITS’ BOOK
without destroying them. But most of those who are thus indoctrinated in their childhood, if
possessed of judgement, throw aside that belief when they grow up, and, being unable to
assent to such a doctrine, become atheists or materialists; so that the natural effect of such
teaching is to make them believe that there is nothing beyond this present life.
"Death has no terrors for the righteous man, because, with faith, he has the certainty of a
future life; hope leads him to expect an existence happier than his present one; and charity,
which has been the law of his action, gives him the assurance that, in the world which he is
about to enter, he will meet with no one whose recognition he will have reason to dread."
(730.)
The carnally-minded man, more attracted by corporeal life than by the life of the spirit, knows only the
pains and pleasures of terrestrial existence. His only happiness Is in the fugitive satisfaction of his earthly
desires; his mind, constantly occupied with the vicissitude, of the present life, and painfully affected by
them, is tortured with perpetual anxiety. The thought of death terrifies him, because he has doubts about
his future, and because he has to leave all his affections and all his hopes behind him he leaves the earth.
The spiritually-minded man, who has raised himself above the factitious wants created by the passions,
has, even in this lower life, enjoyments unknown to the carnally-minded. The moderation of his desires
gives calmness and serenity to his spirit. Happy in the good he does. life has no disappointments for him,
and its vexations pass lightly over his consciousness, without leaving upon it any painful impress.
942. Will not these counsels as to the way to be happy in the present life be considered by
many persons as somewhat commonplace; will they not be looked upon as truisms; and will it
not be said that, after all, the true secret of happiness is to be able to bear up under one's
troubles?
"A good many people will take this view of the matter; but, of these, not a few will be like the
sick man, for whom the physician prescribes dieting, but who demands to be cured without
changing his habits, and while continuing the indulgences of the table that keep up his
dyspepsia."
Weariness of Life - Suicide
943. What is the cause of the weariness of life which some-times takes possession of people
without any assignable reason?
"Idleness; lack of conviction; sometimes, satiety. For him who employs his faculties in the
pursuit of some useful aim in harmony with his natural aptitudes, exertion is not disagreeable:
his time passes quickly in congenial occupation; and he is able to bear the