Personal Wisdom

 This is the best of all possible worlds . And although it is not altogether perfect , over all it's still good .  The reason for suffering is threefold . First , people have base impulses , which cause affliction to both the self and others . Secondly , life on earth is characterized by conflict . Let me explain with an example . A person might have an earache that is caused by a virus contained within some bacteria . Now , what is bad for the good of the person is good for the sake of the microorganism , and vice versa . The reason that we complain about suffering is because we feel that we are of the utmost importance . But what makes our lives any more significant than lower lifeforms ? For the nature of existence is to sustain ourselves at the expense of other beings. Our loss is their gain , just as their loss is to our own benefit .  The third and final cause of suffering stems from congenital defects , which are due to no one's fault . Some beings just have a better quality of gene pool than others .  Suffering and death are therefore an inherent part of life in this world . The best that we as humans can do is to cherish life's blessings , and graciously bear life's sufferings . We should all strive to change what we can for the better , make the best of what we cannot , and have the discernment to understand the difference . In life there will be troubles , and battles , but life is well worth the struggle .  Strive to survive causing the least amount of suffering possible. Anything that can happen will happen , so it might as well happen to you . Yesterday is history , tomorrow a mystery , today is a gift , which is why it is called the present . Providence/ Fortune affords us the sustaining grace to face all of the challenges that might might take place . An adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered . An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered . If you come to the end of your rope , hold on . Life is filled with goodness and graciousness . Yet we should not ever take it for granted . We should just resolve to be as good and as gracious as we best can be . If you see your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, make sure that you bring it back to where it belongs . For to do otherwise makes you into a bullheaded jackass . Keep in mind to be sacred minded , and avoid the two extremes of self-centeredness and self righteousness .  No one is completely perfect . Anyone who claims otherwise has the fault of self righteous vanity . Better are sinners who know they are sinners than saints who know they are saints . Judge not lest you be judged . Leave the personal judgement to a Higher Authority, and choose to love one another unconditionally. Those who have nothing to fight or die for have nothing to live for . Violence is better than oppression , yet better still is compassion . Yet , with that being said , those who are kind to the unjust end up being unjust to the kind . But remember , retaliation results in the escalation of conflict . Only use a proportional amount of force in countering attack . Always act in pursuit of justice , never vengeance . Harm none needlessly . As long as it doesn't harm the health , or dignity of anyone , do as you wish in pursuing personal happiness . If it harms some , do whatever is necessary for the greater good of all the people . This is liberty in accordance with the natural law . Conscience is the inner law from which natural law / universal ethics derives. Reason is the inner light by which all truths are found . Conscience must take precedence over obedience . The why matters more than the what . Intention is what is important , rather than actions by themselves . If intention is pure , then the action will likewise be pure . You will never be led astray in the pathways of life , if you follow your heart , just as long as love guides your heart . For God is love , and love is God . Seek not immediate pleasure , but instead pursue ultimate good . Duty must be put above desire. Do your duty in all things , to the best of your ability . None can do more , and no one should do less , less they be found to be remiss .  If you answer fools according to their folly , you might end up being made a fool of .  The rod was made for the backs of fools , and there is no fool like an old fool . Honor your elders only for as long as they remain honorable  . Respect all persons , beginning with yourself . Respect all , fear none .  Vanity and servility alike are faults . The healthy attitude is one of humility , which is the view that although we all have significance , we are not of the utmost importance . There are two types of pride . The favorable is self respect , the deplorable is self righteousness . The former is characterized by confidence , the latter by arrogance . Know your authentic self , and to yourself be true .  One is to be valued for who one is , not for what one can do . One should contribute in accordance with one's ability , and receive as each has need . Experience more , learn more , achieve more , become more. Knowledge is power , so is wealth . First acquire knowledge , in order to gain wealth .  We might not be able to know everything about everything , but we can know something about some things . Be the change you seek in this world . For the greatest of struggles is that of the higher self against wanton lusts . Only when there is inner peace can there by outer peace .  If you see a wrong correct it . If not with deeds , then with words , if not with words then through prayer . And praying is the very least a person can do .  Ask not what others can do for you , but rather what you can do for others . If you see a need fulfill it . Do everything you must do without complaint , or even having to first be asked .   Words without deeds are worthless .  A truth must be shared , and be valued by others , if it is to have impactful worth . But an unpopular truth is true none the less . Never lie ,  unless someone would otherwise die , for life is of highest priority . For a lack of knowledge a people perish . Fallacy and ignorance like a virus spreads , causing false consciousness to arise , and possibly even leading to harmful consequences . The remedy for this is rational discernment in evaluating ideas , and information . Without prior investigation no right to proclamation exists .  No one has the right not to feel offended . Freedom is of more worthwhile importance than anyone's feelings , and facts don't care about your feelings anyway .  It is abominable eat any food you find to be detestable , whether it be meat or vegetable . One out to be free to eat all that one finds to be well and good , and refuse all that is ill and tastes bad . The duty of every parent is to provide protection , direction , and affection to each of their children .  Children are to be in compliance with the admonition of their parents , so much as it is in accordance with the ordinance of the commandments of the Most High One .  Parents must not go beyond that which is dictated by the scripture . Young and old alike are to be entitled to enjoy free agency , and not be subjected to the arbitrary whims of man , not even that of a parent .  Authority must not become a form of idolatry .  We are all children of the same Heavenly Father / Mother . Earthly parents are not to usurp the place occupied by the Most High .  If the mandate of heaven is infringed upon , then subjects , including even children , have the right to revolt .