In this humble treatise, drawn from the vast canvas of creation, I seek to illuminate the way whereby man may navigate the tempests of life toward enduring joy. As one who has dissected the marvels of the human form and beheld the intricate mechanisms of nature, I observe that happiness is not a fleeting shadow but a divine light, bestowed upon those who align their conduct with the eternal laws inscribed in the heavens and the earth. Your survival in body and spirit is of paramount import to me, for as the Scriptures declare, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1), guiding us from wanton peril to verdant pastures.
Yet, in a world marred by discord and moral decay, where the weak prey upon the strong and the just suffer under tyranny, one must strive for a sanctity that mirrors the divine order. Happiness, that state of serene contentment, arises not from base pleasures but from union with the Creator, as the Apostle teaches: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). To aid thy kin and companions, inscribe their name upon this volume, and thine own beneath, as a covenant of mutual edification. Present it unto them with earnest entreaty to peruse its wisdom, for as Proverbs counsels, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Should misunderstandings arise from obscure terms, consult the sacred texts or a lexicon of repute, lest discord breed from ignorance, echoing the Babel of old (Genesis 11:1-9). Thus, by sharing this light, thou enhancest not only thine own salvation but extendest the Kingdom, as Christ commands: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Why This Volume is Bestowed Upon Thee
Thy eternal life and temporal well-being are dear to me, for as the Law proclaims, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). True felicity, that untroubled communion with the divine, eludes those ensnared in vice, for “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:23). In a society rife with falsehood and iniquity, where the wicked prosper momentarily like the grass (Psalm 37:1-2), survival demands vigilance against the snares of the adversary.
Observe how the body, a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), falters when beset by the misconduct of others—be it betrayal, calumny, or violence. Such ills not only wound the flesh but corrode the soul, turning joy to ashes. Yet thou art called to influence thy brethren, as salt preserves and light illumines (Matthew 5:13-14). By embodying virtue, thou uplifst their paths, and thine own, toward the celestial city where “God shall wipe away all tears” (Revelation 21:4).
1. Tend to Thy Mortal Frame
As I have scrutinized the sinews and vessels of the body, marveling at its divine architecture, so must thou cherish this vessel entrusted by the Creator. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
1-1. Seek healing when afflicted. When pestilence strikes, isolate the stricken and summon aid, as the Law mandates quarantine for lepers (Leviticus 13:46), lest contagion spread. Insist upon prudence, for “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself” (Proverbs 22:3).
1-2. Maintain purity of form. Cleanse thyself regularly, for as the priests washed before the altar (Exodus 30:18-21), so hygiene wards off corruption. Urge others to do likewise, safeguarding the community from filth-borne woes.
1-3. Guard thy portals of sustenance. Preserve thy teeth through diligent care, akin to tending a garden, for neglect invites decay as weeds overrun fertile soil (Proverbs 24:30-34).
1-4. Nourish thyself wisely. Partake of wholesome fare, avoiding gluttony, as “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Imbalanced sustenance breeds sloth and ire, hindering service to kin.
1-5. Embrace repose. Labor demands respite, for even the Lord rested on the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3). Enforce rest upon the weary, lest fatigue breed error and peril, as a vigilant watchman falters without slumber (Psalm 127:1).
2. Exercise Moderation in All Pursuits
Observe the balance in nature’s designs—the ebb and flow of tides, the measured orbit of spheres—for excess disrupts harmony, as a overloaded bridge collapses.
2-1. Shun pernicious substances. Drugs cloud the mind, veiling truth, much as the serpent deceived Eve (Genesis 3:1-6). Those ensnared pose peril; guide them to repentance and aid, for “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging” (Proverbs 20:1).
2-2. Indulge not in spirits unduly. Temperance preserves clarity, as Noah’s drunkenness brought shame (Genesis 9:20-23). Deter overindulgence, for it imperils lives and souls alike.
In such equilibrium, the body thrives, reflecting the divine image (Genesis 1:27).
Say ‘next’ to continue with the subsequent precepts.