Page:The Gospel of Râmakrishna.djvu/60

 them must not be very close. It is wise to avoid the company of such people.

Narendra : What attitude should we hold when wicked people come to disturb our peace or do actually offend us?

Bhagavân : A person living in society should have a little Tamas (the spirit of resisting evil) for purposes of self-protection. But this is necessary only for outward show, its object being to prevent the wicked from doing harm to you. At the same time you should not do actual injury to another on the ground that he has done injury to you.

There was a large venomous snake in a field. No one dared to go that way. One day a holy man (Mahâtmâ) passed by that road and the serpent ran after the sage to him. But when the snake approached the holy man, he lost all his ferocity and was overpowered by the gentleness of the Yogi. Seeing him, the sage said: "Well, my friend, think you to bite me?" The snake was abashed and made no reply. At this the sage continued: " Hearken, friend ; do not injure anyone in future." The snake bowed and nodded