"A man's foes shall be they of his own household." This saying
referred to the religious differences which the great prophet saw would
arise in consequence of his peculiar teachings. There are no ill
feelings between people so rancorous and lasting as those which spring
from such causes, and as hate is but love inverted, the nearer and
dearer the relationships, the more bitter is the feeling likely to be
engendered. Proverbially, family feuds are the most deadly and
difficult to eradicate.
The friend, the relative who knows you best, who has seen you in your
hours of weakness when you have been entirely "off guard," is the one
who can most injure you should anything occur to sever your hearts.
There is no help for this save in that growth of charity and
forbearance one toward another which teaches us to seek not our own,
but to try to help each other in the great struggle of life.
* * * * * *
Who are the "pure in heart?" Those who aspire to the good, and
sacrifice self to attain it. What is virtue? That which is best for
the individual; not on either the animal or the spiritual plane alone;
but in every lawful expression of the nature; the epitomization, and
spiritualization of all past "karma" from the sod up to God.