XXVIII
Imposture
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The five17 principles of his own body smile within themselves when they see the imposture of the hypocrite.
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Of what avail is an imposing presence when evil is in the heart and the heart is conscious thereof?
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Behold the ungodly man putting on the puissant look of the austere: he is like a cow that grazeth about wearing a tiger’s skin.
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Behold the man who taketh cover under a saintly garb and doth evil: he is like a fowler hiding in the bush and catching birds.
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The hypocrite pretendeth unto sanctity and sayeth, I have vanquished my passions: but he will come to grief and cry, What have I done? and what have I done?
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Behold the man that hath not renounced in his heart, but walketh about like one that hath renounced, and cheateth men: there is none more hard of heart than he.
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The kunri seed is fair on one side, but the other side of it is black: there are men who are like unto it: they are fair on the outside, but their inside is all black.
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Many there be whose heart is impure but who bathe in holy streams and prowl about.
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The arrow is straight and the lute hath a bend: judge thou therefore men by their acts and not by their appearance.
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Neither matted hair thou wantest nor shaven head, if thou abstain from that which the world contemneth.