Page:Gospel of Buddha.djvu/177

 "Truth, however, is large enough to receive the yearnings and aspirations of all selves and when the selves break like soap-bubbles, their contents will be preserved and in the truth they will lead a life everlasting. "He who goeth to battle, O Simha, even though it be in a righteous cause, must be prepared to be slain by his enemies, for that is the destiny of warriors; and Should his fate overtake him he has no reason for complaint.

"But he who is victorious should remember the instability of earthly things. His success- may be great, but be it ever so great the wheel of fortune may turn again and bring him down into the dust.

"However, if he moderates himself and, extinguishing all hatred in his heart lifts his down-trodden adversary up and says to him, 'Come now and make peace and let us be brothers, 7 he will gain a victory that is not a transient success, for its fruits will remain forever.

"Great is a successful general, O Simha, but he who has conquered self is the greater victor.

"The doctrine of the conquest of self, O Simha, is not taught to destroy the souls of men, but to preserve them. He who has conquered self is more fit to live, to be successful, and to gain victories than he who is the slave of self.

"He whose mind is free from the illusion of self, will stand and not fall in the battle of life.

"He whose intentions are righteousness and justice, will meet with no failure, but be successful in his enterprises and his success will endure.

"He who harbors in his heart love of truth will live and not die, for he has drunk the water of immortality.

"Struggle then, O general, courageously; and fight thy battles vigorously, but be a soldier of truth and the Tathāgata will bless thee."