Way of The Seekers — Page 26
26 THE manliness and courage. But it is not moral but evil as it is not controlled by reason. Another example of self-immolation is grace, giving up something for the sake of another. In a manner of speaking, a person destroys himself to some extent. That which would promote his own survival, he makes over to others. Self-immolation is exemplified in murder, arson, vicious- ness, because the motives of these actions–crimes–have the built-in desire to die. The desire for survival is illustrated in charity, hope, mag- nanimity, and other similar morals. Grace has been mentioned before as rooted in immolation. This is because morals do not have single roots. Sometimes they have more roots than one; or, they assume a different quality at different times. Pride, the desire to outstrip others, courage, self-approba- tion, all branch out of the desire to manifest oneself. Their ultimate motive is to manifest. Disclosing a secret, hypocrisy, shamelessness, sincerity, are the mental manifestations of the desire to manifest. Trusting God, chastity, modesty, spring from the desire for secrecy. Laughter, humor, false witness, keeping a secret, lying, are the mental manifestations of the desire for secrecy. Some morals are complex, made up of more than one; for instance, jealousy. Jealousy is a complex moral quality made up of attraction and immolation; promising results out of withdrawal and immolation. Under different conditions some morals assume different qualities; for instance, ostentation or self-display or readiness to fight which means quarrelsomeness may be motivated by sheer withdrawal or hatred. To disprove and challenge what others claim, or to claim and acquire one’s own right are