58. The Joyous
The Lines
Bottom. [9] A man experiences joy within himself and is not
dependent on any external approval. He needs neither praise nor the approval of
the world because his confidence rests on a heart that is honest and that
honestly seeks what is right. Since his heart is open and his mind is not
filled with self-centered ideas, since he himself is content and is free of
acquisitive desires as well as emotional revulsions, he journeys through life
with happiness and good fortune as his lot.
2. [9] Any man may sometimes be tempted to associate with
inferior people and indulge in entertainments that are vulgar and degrading.
But a superior man finds such activities distasteful and invariably regrets the
time wasted on them, even if only for a short while. Eventually, he realizes
that such dalliance is futile, that there is no real pleasure involved, and he
resolves to avoid such diversions completely. Even his inferior associates
recognize that he experiences no real joy in such things, and they cease trying
to persuade him to accompany them.
3. [6] The superior man finds joy in his very existence. His
thoughts and meditations bring him pleasure as does his work and his
recreational activities, which are educational, uplifting and enlightening. But
the inferior man is empty inside. He has no interest in constructive activities
or enlightening experiences. Instead, he seeks entertainments and diversions
that will distract him from a recognition of his inner vacuum. He is miserable
if he is isolated and alone for any length of time. He depends on the external
world to fill his emptiness, and his lack of an internal life attracts an
endless stream of empty diversions. The more he indulges in filling this void
with idle pleasures, the less he is able to cultivate the life of his mind. His
spirit shrivels, his personality deteriorates, and his life sinks deeper into
meaninglessness.
4. [9] If a man cannot decide between the enlightenment and
development of his mind, and the idle entertainments offered by the world, he
will feel himself torn between them. It is a choice between the deeper joys of
cultural activities, and the frivolous pleasures of mindless amusements.
Finally he realizes that distractions have no depth and provide no genuine
satisfaction; that only the finer pleasures of art, literature and similar
uplifting activities bring any lasting satisfactions; that meaningless
entertainments leave him disappointed, whereas meaningful ones make him feel
better about himself. The choice becomes obvious, the uncertainty is
eliminated, and he enjoys a richer, happier existence.
5. [9] A good man with worldly contacts will meet persons or
opportunities that mislead him into unrewarding and unprofitable activities.
Often, these diversions seem harmless at first, and a person can easily allow
them to take over more and more of his time. The harmful effects are so little
noticed, and their intrusion is so gradual, the man is hardly aware of what is
happening or of the danger he is slipping into. But if he becomes aware of what
is has been going on and awakens to the danger, he can take steps to extricate
himself, and he escapes unharmed.
Top. [6] A man has allowed himself to be seduced by empty
pleasures that encourage his self-indulgence. If he has no inner depth, no
central core of being, these diversions easily take over his whole life and he
cares about nothing else. He is completely possessed by them, they have in fact
taken over his life, and he is no longer in control. Whatever becomes of him is
determined by these outside forces, not by himself. If his diversions are
physically harmful, he will be physically harmed. If they are intellectually
degenerative, his intellect will suffer. He is at their mercy.
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