_You have lived long and learned the secret of life_, _O Seer_!
_Tell me what are the best three things to seek_—
_The best three things for a man to seek on earth_?
The best three things for a man to seek, O Son! are these:
Reverence for that great Source from whence he came;
Work for the world wherein he finds himself;
And knowledge of the Realm toward which he goes.
_What are the best three things to love on earth_, _O Seer_!
_What are the best three things for a man to love_?
The best three things for a man to love, O Son! are these:
Labour which keeps his forces all in action;
A home wherein no evil thing may enter;
And a loving woman with God in her heart.
_What are the three great sins to shun_, _O Seer_!—
_What are the three great sins for a man to shun_?
The three great sins for a man to shun, O Son! are these:
A thought which soils the heart from whence it goes;
An action that can harm a living thing;
And undeveloped energies of mind.
_What are the worst three things to fear_, _O Seer_!—
_What are the worst three things for a man to fear_?
The worst three things for man to fear, O Son! are these:
Doubt and suspicion in a young child’s eyes;
Accusing shame upon a woman’s face;
And in himself no consciousness of God.