And renouncement, often, is only a parasite. Even if it do not
enfeeble our inward life, it must inevitably bring disquiet. Just as
bees cease from work at the approach of an intruder into their hive,
so will the virtues and strength of the soul into which contempt or
renouncement has entered, forsake all their tasks, and eagerly flock
round the curious guest that has come in the wake of pride; for so
long as renouncement be conscious, so long will the happiness found
therein have its origin truly in pride. And he who is bent on
renouncement had best, first of all, forswear the delights of pride,
for these are wholly vain and wholly deceptive.
55. Within reach of all, demanding neither boldness nor energy, is
this "enchantment of the disenchanted!" But what name shall we give
to the man who renounces that which brought happiness to him, and
rather would surely lose it to-day than live in fear lest fortune
haply deprive him thereof on the morrow? Is the mission of wisdom
only to peer into the uncertain future, with ear on the stretch for
the footfall of sorrow that never may come--but deaf to the whirr of
the wings of the happiness that fills all space?
Let us not look to renouncement for happiness till we have sought it
elsewhere in vain.
Pages:
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126