The following is a wonderful quote by Vidura found in the Mahabharata. It extols the virtue of a great soul, contrasted with the features of a fool.
We all find within us a blend of these contrasting features of character, in differing degrees. The lesson is to stop being a fool and try to be a great soul- by honoring, praising and serving the great souls, carefully discarding with acquired spiritual strength all features which characterize every speck of residual foolishness which we carry with us due to prolonged material contact.
A GREAT SOUL
"A great soul is one who is beyond the influence of material dualities.
Such an elevated person does not become flattered upon receiving honor, nor does he become angry when insulted.
He discards desires for immediate flickering gratification of the bodily and mental urges, and instead, acts for obtaining eternal benefit.
He listens very patiently and attentively, and he can understand a matter very quickly.
He does not discuss the affairs of others unless someone requests him to give personal advice.
He never strives for the unattainable, and he does not grieve for that which has been lost.
Even when there is a calamity, he does not become bewildered by sorrow. Whatever he starts, he diligently carries through to completion, and he never allows his valuable time to be wasted in idleness or frivolity.
He is not a faultfinder, but he is always anxious to praise the good qualities of others.
These are the characteristics of a person who actually became elevated in knowledge due to following the path of virtue."
THE FOOL
"O King, I shall now describe to you the fool, who is just the opposite of the wise man.
A fool does not hesitate to employ unfair means to achieve his goals, and his mind is always filled with desires for sensual gratification. He takes a long time to accomplish a thing that could be quickly done, and he treats those who are actually well wishers as if they were enemies, while giving inimical persons a royal treatment.
He who divulges his schemes, who is always full of doubts, and who trusts an unworthy person, is a fool. He, who comes to a place uninvited and then talks excessively without being asked to do so, is a great fool.
He who blames others when he himself is at fault, and he who is miserly and selfish, is also a fool.
Who could be more heartless than a wealthy person who dresses nicely and eats fine food, but does not provide such things for his dependants?"
..."When a fool tries to injure a wise man by using harsh speech, he takes upon him the results of the derided person's sinful reactions. If a forest is cut down, the trees may once again grow back, but a heart that is wounded by harsh words never recovers. Arrows can be extracted from the body, but the dagger of harsh words, once plunged deep into heart, can never be removed. The arrow-like harsh words that can issue forth from one's mouth should therefore never be discharged by a learned
person."
A GREAT SOUL
"A great soul is one who is beyond the influence of material dualities.
Such an elevated person does not become flattered upon receiving honor, nor does he become angry when insulted.
He discards desires for immediate flickering gratification of the bodily and mental urges, and instead, acts for obtaining eternal benefit.
He listens very patiently and attentively, and he can understand a matter very quickly.
He does not discuss the affairs of others unless someone requests him to give personal advice.
He never strives for the unattainable, and he does not grieve for that which has been lost.
Even when there is a calamity, he does not become bewildered by sorrow. Whatever he starts, he diligently carries through to completion, and he never allows his valuable time to be wasted in idleness or frivolity.
He is not a faultfinder, but he is always anxious to praise the good qualities of others.
These are the characteristics of a person who actually became elevated in knowledge due to following the path of virtue."
THE FOOL
"O King, I shall now describe to you the fool, who is just the opposite of the wise man.
A fool does not hesitate to employ unfair means to achieve his goals, and his mind is always filled with desires for sensual gratification. He takes a long time to accomplish a thing that could be quickly done, and he treats those who are actually well wishers as if they were enemies, while giving inimical persons a royal treatment.
He who divulges his schemes, who is always full of doubts, and who trusts an unworthy person, is a fool. He, who comes to a place uninvited and then talks excessively without being asked to do so, is a great fool.
He who blames others when he himself is at fault, and he who is miserly and selfish, is also a fool.
Who could be more heartless than a wealthy person who dresses nicely and eats fine food, but does not provide such things for his dependants?"
..."When a fool tries to injure a wise man by using harsh speech, he takes upon him the results of the derided person's sinful reactions. If a forest is cut down, the trees may once again grow back, but a heart that is wounded by harsh words never recovers. Arrows can be extracted from the body, but the dagger of harsh words, once plunged deep into heart, can never be removed. The arrow-like harsh words that can issue forth from one's mouth should therefore never be discharged by a learned
person."
