57
and
almost
irresistible,
although
so
deeply-seated
that
in
normal
thought
one may not always be aware of it.
Buddha,
taking
the bull
by the horns,
made
this idea the first
to
be
attacked.
Each
must
decide
for
himself whether
this
is
a
wise
course
to
pursue.
But it certainly
seems
easier
to
strip off first
the things
which
can easily
be done without.
The
majority
of people will
find most trouble
with
the
Emotions,
and thoughts which
excite them.
But
it
is
both
possible
and
necessary
not
merely
to
suppress
the
emotions,
but to turn them
into
faithful
servants.
Thus the emotion
of
anger
is
occasionally
useful
against
that
portion
of the
brain
whose
slackness
vitiates
the control.
If there
is one
emotion
which
is
never
useful,
it
is
pride : for this
reason, that it is bound
up entirely
with the Ego
. .
.
No, there
is no use
for pride
!
The destruction
of the Perceptions,
either the grosser or
the
subtler,
appears
much
easier,
because
the
mind, not
being moved, is free to remember its control.
It
is
easy to be so
absorbed
in
a
book
that
one
takes
no
notice
of the most
beautiful
scenery.
But
if stung
by
a
wasp
the
book
is
immediately
forgotten.