Title Page : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 1 The Wisdom Of The East Series Edited By L. CRANMER-BYNG Dr. S. A. KAPADIA THE DUTIES OF THE HEART p. 2 WISDOM OF THE EAST THE DUTIES OF THE HEART BY RABBI BACHYE TRANSLATED, WITH INTRODUCTION BY EDWIN COLLINS HELLIER...
The Danger Of Pride : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], (FROM THE GATE OF HUMILITY.) THE DANGER OF PRIDE The man who does good works is more likely to be overtaken by pride in them than by any other moral mischance; and its effect on conduct is injurious in the extreme...
The Proper Study Of Mankind Is Man : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE PROPER STUDY OF MANKIND IS MAN Although it is incumbent upon us to investigate and study the whole universe, so as to understand the wisdom and goodness of the Creator, the subject most necessary to study, as well...
Gratitude Is Due For Good Intentions : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], GRATITUDE IS DUE FOR GOOD INTENTIONS All admit that our obligation to benefactors is in proportion to their intention to benefit us, and that even if, through some accident or hindrance, their deeds fall short of their...
The Dual Duty Of The Dual Man : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE DUAL DUTY OF THE DUAL MAN Man is made up of body and soul; and both alike are given us by the beneficence of the Creator. The one is visible, and the other invisible. We are therefore bound to serve Him with a twofold...
All Conduct Is Conditioned : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], ALL CONDUCT IS CONDITIONED BY THE HEART It is quite clear to me that even the duties of the body and its members can never be perfectly fulfilled, except with a willing heart, and a soul that delights to do them, and when...
Keeping Account With The Soul : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], KEEPING ACCOUNT WITH THE SOUL The keeping account with one's own soul is when a man busies himself in silent discussion between himself and his reason with the concerns of his religious and his worldly life, so that he may...
The Duty Of Using Reason. And Of Taking No : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE DUTY OF USING REASON: AND OF TAKING NO DOGMA ON TRUST It is the bounden duty of all who are not intellectually incapable of independent thought, to search out the true meaning of the doctrines they accept...
Habits Of Those That Love God : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], (FROM CHAP. VII. OF THE GATE OF LOVE.) ("SEE ALSO" P. 47.) HABITS OF THOSE THAT LOVE GOD. The customs of the lovers of the Eternal are too numerous to recount. Nevertheless, I will mention a few of them that come...
Consistent Humility And Sincerity : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 37 CONSISTENT HUMILITY AND SINCERITY He who is humble before God should be meek and modest in all the affairs of the world; both in what is seen and in what is secret; in his speech and in his actions; in his bodily...
The Charity Of The Meek : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE CHARITY OF THE MEEK He who is humble before God will not only do good to all men, but he will speak kindly to them and of them, and will never relate anything shameful about them, and will forgive them for any shameful...
The Ethics Of The Body And The Ethics Of The Soul : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE ETHICS OF THE BODY AND THE ETHICS OF THE SOUL The wisdom of the "Torah" * is divided into two parts: I. The wisdom of the visible, that enables us to know the duties of the body and its members; and these include not...
Humility And Egotism : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 35 HUMILITY AND EGOTISM He who has true humility will be free from all pride, conceit, self-praise and self-glorification, even in his secret thoughts, when he is occupied in works of charity or other virtuous...
Man's Obligation Of Gratitude To God : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], MAN'S OBLIGATION OF GRATITUDE TO GOD IF man earns gratitude, reward and love for intermittent beneficence that is not unselfish, how great must be our obligation of service, gratitude and praise to the Creator of goodness...
Of Trust In God : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], (FROM THE SIXTH GATE.) OF TRUST IN GOD Of all things the most necessary to him who would serve God, * is trust in God. ....... If one does not trust in God, one trusts in something, or in some one, else. And he who quits...
On The Possibility Of Repentance : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], ON THE POSSIBILITY OF REPENTANCE. The question may be asked, "Is it possible to make atonement by repentance * for every kind of sin?" I would reply that iniquities are of two kinds: (1) Sins that affect the relations...
Endless Virtues Spring From Those Of The Heart : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], ENDLESS VIRTUES SPRING FROM THOSE OF THE HEART These inner virtues of the mind and heart, unlike the precepts that the body can fulfil, are not only very numerous themselves, but form the inexhaustible source...
Gratitude To God And Man : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], GRATITUDE TO GOD AND MAN Since Reason obliges us to do good to all who do good to us; a recognition of the existence and unity of God, and of His beneficence, shows the duty of serving Him.
The Motives Of Human Benevolence : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE MOTIVES OF HUMAN BENEVOLENCE There are five aspects of human beneficence:--(2) that of the father to his children; (2) of the master to his slave; (3) of the rich to the poor, in order that he may receive the reward...
The Duties Of The Heart Are More Important : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE DUTIES OF THE HEART ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY OTHERS The obligation to fulfil the duties of the heart and mind is greater than any other, for, whether they p. 20 refer to the commands of Reason, or to those...
What Is Repentance : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], (FROM THE GATE OF REPENTANCE. *) WHAT IS REPENTANCE? What is meant by repentance is when a man sets himself to the service of the Creator, after he has departed from that service or sinned in it, and restores that which...
The Gates Of Knowledge : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 17 THE GATES OF KNOWLEDGE Three gates the Creator has opened to mankind, so that they may enter into the domain of spirituality, ethical conduct and the laws divine, that guide us in our works and daily life to health...
Advertisements : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], The following advertisements followed the original text of the book. They are included for completeness. WISDOM OF THE EAST SERIES THE CONFESSIONS OF AL GHAZZALI. Translated for the first time into English by CLAUD FIELD...
Wisdom, The Highest Good : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 15 THE DUTIES OF THE HEART WISDOM, THE HIGHEST GOOD The supreme benefit, and the highest good bestowed by the Creator on human beings (after the gift of existence and the perfected faculties of percepti...
Editorial Note : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 3 p. 4 EDITORIAL NOTE THE object of the editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between...
Faith Without Knowledge : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], FAITH WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE The faith of the believer is not complete unless he knows the meaning and the reasons of his belief. And this knowledge that enables one to fulfil the duties of the heart, is the hidden wisdom th...
The Danger Of Pride And Self Righteousness : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 32 THE DANGER OF PRIDE AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS Many whose intention is to do right and serve God are not on their guard against things that destroy this service, and the cause of destruction enters, without their...
Introduction : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 5 INTRODUCTION BACHYE'S "Guide to the Duties of the Heart" is the unique work that first linked the ethical science of the West with the emotional and spiritual morality of the East. It combines, in an artistic unity...
Belief In The Existence Of One Cre : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], (FROM THE GATE OF UNITY.) BELIEF IN THE EXISTENCE OF ONE CREATOR AS THE BASIS OF ETHICS Perfect recognition of the existence and unity of God forms the only sure basis for right thought and conduct. For gratitude...
The Signs And Consequences Of True Humility : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE SIGNS AND CONSEQUENCES OF TRUE HUMILITY Humility before the Creator obliges a man to behave meekly and unselfishly in all his transactions with his fellow-men, whether in matters of business or in any other relati...
Aids To The Cultivation Of Humility : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], AIDS TO THE CULTIVATION OF HUMILITY Among the aids to the cultivation of proper humility are the contemplation of the greatness of man's obligation to the Creator and the thought of how small is his fulfilment of his...
Seek No Reward But Wisdom's Self : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], SEEK NO REWARD BUT WISDOM'S SELF But it is forbidden to us to study it for purposes of worldly advantage; but from the single motive of Love Alone. The Rabbis say: "Do things for the sake of the work itself, and speak...
The Right Study Of Nature Leads To Nature's God : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], (FROM THE SECOND GATE, THE GATE OF INVESTIGATION AND CONTEMPLATION--CHAP. II.) THE RIGHT STUDY OF NATURE LEADS TO NATURE'S GOD. That investigation and careful study of all created beings and things is a duty binding up...
Contemplation Leading To Communion With God : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], CONTEMPLATION LEADING TO COMMUNION WITH GOD If the believer will constantly meditate on the fact that the Creator sees all his thoughts and deeds, and will think it over with his own soul, the Creator will be constantly...
The Gate Of Love : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE GATE OF LOVE The intention of all separation from the world is only so that one may concentrate the whole heart upon the one object of love for the Creator, and that one may be filled with longing to fulfil His will...
The Examination Of Creation Shows The Goodness : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 25 THE EXAMINATION OF CREATION SHOWS THE GOODNESS OF THE CREATOR The way in which man can most readily arrive at a knowledge of God is by a critical study of the works of creation in general, and of man in particular...
The Hall Marks Of The Meek : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE HALL MARKS OF THE MEEK First among the signs by which the meek are known is that they forgive all injuries and subdue their p. 38 anger against those that treat them with contempt, even when they have the opportunity...
The Pride Consistent With Humility : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE PRIDE CONSISTENT WITH HUMILITY It may be asked: Can pride and humility dwell together in the heart? The answer requires a definition of pride. There are two kinds of pride. Pride in the bodily powers and in corporeal...
The Motives To Repentance : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE MOTIVES TO REPENTANCE. The first and chief motive to repentance is when a man comes to recognise the nature of his God, and examines and ponders over the continuity of God's goodness to him, and what a debt of grateful...
The Duties Of The Heart Are For Every Time : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE DUTIES OF THE HEART ARE FOR EVERY TIME AND PLACE While some religious and moral duties are only obligatory at special times and in special circumstances, these duties of the heart, taught by Reason, Scripture...
Humility As A Worldly Advantage Contentment : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], HUMILITY AS A WORLDLY ADVANTAGE--CONTENTMENT Humility is profitable to man in this world, because it makes him rejoice in his lot. For the whole p. 40 world, and all it contains, is insufficient to satisfy the ambiti...
The Only True Unity : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 24 THE ONLY TRUE UNITY. The word One, in common speech, denotes both accidental, transitory unity and a unity that is essential and permanent. It is this essential and permanent unity that is true unity... Even where...
Where Humility Is Sin : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], WHERE HUMILITY IS SIN In matters of religion, justice, and of right and wrong, however, the meek will be high-spirited and fearless, punishing the wicked without fear or favour. He will never behave oppressively out...
Examples Of Duties Of The Heart : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], EXAMPLES OF DUTIES OF THE HEART Among commands relating to duties of the heart and mind are the following:--To believe that the world has a Creator, who created it from nothing, and that there is none other like Him...
Humility, True And False : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], p. 33 HUMILITY, TRUE AND FALSE Humility is lowliness of the soul; and it is a quality of the soul that, when established there, allows its signs to be evident in the bodily members. The voice, for instance, is softened...
The Whole Of Human Conduct Belongs : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE WHOLE OF HUMAN CONDUCT BELONGS TO THE DOMAIN OF ETHICS The whole of human conduct may be divided into acts that are commanded and acts that are prohibited, and acts that are necessary to the maintenance of physical...
Free Will And Providence : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], (FROM THE THIRD GATE, EXPLAINING THE OBLIGATION OF ACCEPTING THE SERVICE OF THE DEITY, BLESSED BE HE.) FREE WILL AND PROVIDENCE When you understand the mystery of movement and the dynamic laws of the universe, and realise...
The Motive Forces That Impel Man To Grateful : * "The Duties of the Heart", by Rabbi Bachye, tr. by Edwin Collins, [1909], THE MOTIVE FORCES THAT IMPEL MAN TO GRATEFUL SERVICE There are two distinct motive forces impelling man to humble and grateful service of God. One of them is inherent in human reason, implanted in man's intelligence...
Untitled : * This slim volume translates from the Rabbi Bachye, who wrote one of the first systematic treatments of philosophical Ethics in 12th century Spain. This was during a period of Jewish intellectual cross-fertilization with Islamic culture. Although Bachye was an orthodox Rabbi, he treats Ethics...