8. Cultivate ideal friendships, and gather into an intimate circle all
your acquaintances who are hungering for truth and right. Remember
that heaven itself can be nothing but the intimacy of pure and noble
souls.
9. Do not shrink from any useful or kindly act, however hard or
repellent it may be. The worth of acts is measured by the spirit in
which they are performed.
10. If the world despise you because you do not follow its ways, pay no
heed to it. But be sure your way is right.
11. If a thousand plans fail, be not disheartened. As long as your
purposes are right, you have not failed.
12. Examine yourself every night, and see whether you have progressed
in knowledge, sympathy, and helpfulness during the day. Count every
day a loss in which no progress has been made.
13. Seek enjoyment in energy, not in dalliance. Our worth is measured
solely by what we do.
14. Let not your goodness be professional; let it be the simple,
natural outcome of your character. Therefore cultivate character.
15. If you do wrong, say so, and make what atonement you can. That is
true nobleness. Have no moral debts.
16. When in doubt how to act, ask yourself, What does nobility command?
Be on good terms with yourself.
17. Look for no reward for goodness but goodness itself. Remember
heaven and hell are utterly immoral institutions, if they are meant as
reward and punishment.
18. Give whatever countenance and help you can to every movement and
institution that is working for good. Be not sectarian.