Way of The Seekers — Page 70
70 THE 3. National group virtues. 4. Virtues which relate to God. To take up vices first, in the same order: Personal Vices: I will list some of the more obvious vices. Others are not so obvious and may be identified only through divine help. The idea is that if we become conscious of these major vices, we shall be better able to guard against them. These vices are as follows: 1. Arrogance: It means feeling haughty and big inside. Without letting others know, you may secretly feel big. This vice obstructs inner cleanliness. 2. Meanness: To be a tramp; to loiter about like vagrants or associate with vagabonds and to adopt such immoral professions as do little credit to the human person. This too is a vice of heart. In such cases, no progress is possible unless the peculiar attitude changes. 3. Haste: To act and choose without forethought. Here, too, ultimately it is the person who is harmed. 4. Suspicion: Secretly to impute evil motives to others and to suspect their bona fides without even communicating to them the secret doubts and fears. 5. Illicit love: Even if it is secret and undivulged. 6. Malice: To harbor designs against others even when such designs do not find practical expression. 7. Cowardice: Secret or public timidity. 8. Jealousy: To think of depriving others for self-gain. 9. Impatience: Feeling fidgety or upset over reverses and failing to do what is supposed to be done. 10 Lack of ambition: Not to aspire for big goals but to rest content with minor roles. This vice could cause great harm, particularly in case of leaders and Heads of State; it could work havoc, for lack of ambition on their part also kills