詹姆斯·艾伦/James Allen
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control.Its presence is an in dication of ripened experience,and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.
A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a t hought evolved being,for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought,and as he develops a right understan ding,and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve,and remains poised,steadfast,serene.
The calm man,having learned how to govern himself,knows how to ada pt himself to others;and they,in turn,reverence his spiritual strengt h,and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him.The more tranq uil a man becomes,the greater is his success,his influence,his power for good.Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity inc rease as he develops a greater self-control and equanimity,for people w ill always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongly equable.
The strong,calm man is always loved and revered.He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land,or a sheltering rock in a storm."Who d oes not love a tranquil heart,a sweet-tempered,balanced life?" It doe s not matter whether it rains or shines,or what changes come to those p ossessing these blessings,for they are always sweet,serene,and calm.That exquisite poise of character,which we call serenity is the last le sson of culture,the fruitage of the soul.It is precious as wisdom,mor e to be desired than gold-yea,than even fine gold.How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life-a life that d wells in the ocean of truth,beneath the waves,beyond the reach of temp ests,in the eternal calm!
"How many people we know who sour their lives,who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers,who destroy their poise of cha racter,and make bad blood!It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of sel f-control.How few people we meet in life who are well balanced,who hav e that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!"