XIII MAN AND THE WORLD

p. 197

p. 198

311 (I. 140)
MAN IS ALL THINGS

Man is the Sum of Things. If he lack but a jot, The full scope of his wealth surely he knoweth not.

312 (IV. 146)
THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF MAN

This is my true nobility, That I have power to be, while still On earth, a King, an Emperor, A God, or anything I will.

313 (III. 111)
THE HUMAN HEART

God, Devil and the World would all Invade my heart—such rivalry Doth prove it to be wondrous fair And of a high nobility.

314 (V. 181)
THE GREEDIEST

How greedy is a Heart! A thousand Worlds were all too few— 'Twould crave to have them all at once   Ay, and more too.

p. 199

315 (V. 170)
ALL WORKS ARE ALIKE TO GOD

Man's works are level before God. To Him the Saint is full as dear When he lifts up his cup to drink As when he lifts his voice in prayer.

316 (V. 334)
GOD VALUETH THE WORK ACCORDING TO THE WORKER

Know this for sure—the good man's sleep Is more of worth in God's own sight Than all the cry the sinner makes, Chanting and praying through the night.

317 (V. 174)
WHAT THE SAINT DOTH, GOD DOTH IN HIM

'Tis God Himself who in the Saint Enacts the Saint's activities, God walks, stands, sleeps, wakes, eats and drinks, And the Saint's courage too is His.

318 (VI. 154)
GOD DOETH ALL HIMSELF

Himself God lays the cord to the shaft, Himself draws back the bow—that's why, When He Himself releases it, The arrow cleaves the target's eye.

p. 200

319 (I. 194)
WHAT ART THOU IN RESPECT OF GOD?

Think not thou standest high with God Because thy works His favour claim: Even the labours of the Saints To Him are trifling as a game.

320 (I. 119)
THOU MUST GO TO THE SOURCE

Water is pure and clean when at the well-head quaffed: Drink'st thou not at the Spring, there's danger in the draught.

321 (IV. 190)
THE CROSS MANIFESTETH WHAT IS HIDDEN

Thou canst not know thyself in ease and cheer of heart; The Cross first showeth thee the man thou inly art.

322 (V. 275)
SUFFERING IS MORE PROFITABLE THAN JOY

Man, hadst thou only known the good And profit Suffering can bestow, Surely thou wouldst have chosen it Rather than Pleasure, long ago.

p. 201

323 (IV. 79)
THE BEST FRIEND AND ENEMY

My Body is my dearest Friend, Likewise my bitterest Enemy; It bears me up and binds me down, As it doth list, contrarily. I hate it, yet I love it too, And when death comes to part us twain, How joyful will that parting be! And how that parting will be pain!

324 (V. 135)
READINESS MODIFIES THE BLOW

Is not the Wise Man sad at heart When Sorrow knocketh at his door?— He's made all ready long ago To welcome such a Visitor.

325 (III. 88)
THERE MUST BE CRUCIFIXION

Who in the world-to-come would go rose-gathering Must first know well how sharply this world's briars sting.

p. 202

326 (III. 89)
BEAUTY

Beauty I dearly love, and yet I think that Beauty scarce adorns Aught that I see, unless I find It always set about with thorns.

327 (V. 114)
IT IS FOLLY TO STRIVE FOR HONOUR

What fools are we who keenly strive  Honour to win and keep. God giveth Honour but to him  Who holdeth Honour cheap.

328 (V. 141)
THE ACTION OF THE WORLD IS A TRAGEDY

Friend, envy not the World—it goes it own sweet way, Yet is its Action nothing but a Tragic Play.

329 (V. 263)
HELL MUST BE TASTED

None can escape the throat of Hell. The path thereto once must thou tread, And if alive thou go not in, Then surely shalt thou go in dead.

p. 203

330 (III. 146)
THE MIGHT OF SOULS

The Soul is very strong—God's self Acknowledgeth 'tis even so. He cannot break from her embrace Unless she please to let Him go.

331 (VI. 82)
THY WILL MAKETH THEE LOST

By thy own Will thou'rt lost, by thy own Will thou'rt found, Thou by thy Will art freed, and by thy Will art bound.

332 (V. 98)
GOD CANNOT CONTROL THE WILL

Naught is there mightier than God; Yet hath He not the might to turn My Will from willing what it will, My yearning as it needs must yearn?