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Hierarchy (1931) - 71:
71. One may prosecute ignorance, but one should especially chastise superstition and hypocrisy. Like a leprous film, superstition covers weak brains. We are not against laboratories and Western methods, but We ask that honesty, efficiency, and the courage of impartiality be added to them. How can one think of cooperation when birdlike brains impede each experiment? One can produce the most stupendous manifestation if the horns of the devil do not impede in the test tube. People believe more in devils than in saints! Heart (1932) - 223:
223. "Know how to catch the smallest devil by the tail and he will reveal the hiding place of his superior - this ancient Chinese proverb points out the significance of the smallest details in revealing the most important. Verily, caution about details will be the best key to great achievement. People erroneously believe that details are insignificant on the path of ascent. Even the most beautiful heroic deeds rested upon details which were foreseen in advance. How attentively does hew ho follows the Teacher notice all stones! Nothing external will be overlooked by him. Only a poor disciple will say, "Teacher, in my exultation I smashed my nose." Such lack of co-measurement will indicate how far from vigilant was the disciple. The Chinese proverb also has a different meaning "The greatest criminal is detected best by the smallest detail of his actions." Fiery World - Book 2 (1934) - 168:
168. In general, food is not needed in the usual quantity. It is wisely said that eating is the chains of the devil. Many generations have been burdened by gluttony, therefore caution is required in applying countermeasures. In the final analysis, more people perish from overeating than from hunger. But a gradual process is required always in overcoming atavism. It is impossible to abolish overeating all at once, but it can be pointed out that all superfluous food is harmful. Fiery World - Book 2 (1934) - 193:
193. You already know sufficiently about the temperance of certain characters. What is to be done when moderateness has crept into the broadest circles? Those who are seemingly the champions of good give themselves up spiritually to moderation. One can see that the dark ones do not often suffer from this defect. There is a story about a devil encountering and Angel. The Angel said, "Thy servants are bitter." But the devil replied, "Mine are bitter, Thine are sour; we both must look for sweet ones." And the Angel was crestfallen for He could not prove that they had not turned sour. Thus was it observed long ago by people. Supermundane - The Inner Life - Book 2 (1938) - 370:
Bear in mind that it is not easy to rid oneself of petty habits. Among them there are always some of which one is not even aware, and which only a keen-eyed observer can discern. Yet, the uncovering of such hidden habits often leads to complete transformation. Remember the ancient saying, "If you seize the lesser devil by the tail, he will lead you to his superior."
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