Egoism and pride

If men loved one another with mutual love, charity would be better practiced; but, for this, it would be necessary that you strive to cast off that cuirass which covers your hearts, in order that they become more sensitive to the sufferings of others. Rigidity kills good sentiments; the Christ never excused himself; he did not repel him who sought him, whoever he might be: he thus succored the adulterous woman, as well as the criminal; he never feared that his reputation would suffer from it. When will you take him as the model of all your actions? If on Earth charity reigned, the wicked one would not reign in it; he would flee ashamed; he would hide himself, seeing that everywhere he would find himself out of place. Evil would then disappear, be quite certain. Begin yourselves by giving the example; be charitable toward all without distinction; strive not to heed those who look upon you with disdain; believe always that they merit your sympathy and leave to God the charge of rendering all justice, to God who every day separates, in his kingdom, the tares from the wheat.

Egoism is the negation of charity. Now, without charity there will be no repose for human society. I say more: there will be no security. With egoism and pride, which go hand in hand, life will always be a career in which the most cunning will prevail, a struggle of interests, in which the most holy affections will be trampled underfoot, in which not even the sacred bonds of the family will merit respect.

Pascal. n [1] Translator's note: See The Gospel According to Spiritism, chapter XI, item 12.

[2] [v.

Pascal.]