Chapter XIII The World

Do not follow the evil law! Do not live on in thoughtlessness! Do

not follow false doctrine! Be not a friend of the world.
Rouse thyself! do not be idle! Follow the law of virtue! The

virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.
Follow the law of virtue; do not follow that of sin. The virtuous

rests in bliss in this world and in the next.
Look upon the world as a bubble, look upon it as a mirage: the king

of death does not see him who thus looks down upon the world.
Come, look at this glittering world, like unto a royal chariot; the

foolish are immersed in it, but the wise do not touch it.
He who formerly was reckless and afterwards became sober, brightens

up this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.
He whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds, brightens up this

world, like the moon when freed from clouds.
This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven,

like birds escaped from the net.
The swans go on the path of the sun, they go through the ether by

means of their miraculous power; the wise are led out of this world, when they have conquered Mara and his train.
If a man has transgressed one law, and speaks lies, and scoffs at

another world, there is no evil he will not do.
The uncharitable do not go to the world of the gods; fools only do

not praise liberality; a wise man rejoices in liberality, and through it becomes blessed in the other world.
Better than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven,

better than lordship over all worlds, is the reward of the first step in holiness.