XVIII
Non-Coveting
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Behold the man who leaveth the right way and coveteth another man’s wealth: his wickednesses will increase and his family will decline.
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Behold the men that turn away from evil: they covet not, neither do they yield to ignoble deeds.
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Behold the men that care for other joys: they are not greedy after little delights, nor do they yield unto iniquity.
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Behold the men that have mastered their senses and enlarged their vision: they covet not saying, Lo, we are in want.
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Of what avail is a mind that is subtle and comprehending, if it yieldeth unto greed and consenteth unto insensate deeds?
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Even he who hungereth after grace and walketh in the path shall perish if he hankereth after wealth and plotteth evil.
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Covet not the wealth that greed gathereth: for its fruit is bitter in the day of enjoyment.
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If thou desire that thy substance should not grow less, covet not the riches in thy neighbour’s hands.
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Behold the wise man that understandeth justice and coveteth not: Lakshmi knoweth his worth and seeketh him in his home.
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The greed that looketh not beyond engendereth destruction: but the greatness that sayeth, I desire not, triumpheth over all.