Still, so sensitive are men to all implications of their motives or conduct, so unwilling are they to acknowledge themselves mistaken, that the faithful discharge of the duty of protesting against wrong, will always be attended with more or less of ill-will and bad passions.
In view of the above, if we were to predict what would be the first preliminary teaching of a messenger from the Creator imparting to us the true way of happiness-making, we should say, reasoning from the experience of life, it would read thus:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit;” that is, those who feel their poverty of mind as to the knowledge required for right action.
“Blessed are they that mourn;” that is, those who are troubled by this want.
“Blessed are the meek;” that is, those that can quietly and patiently bear reproof and fault-finding.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness;” that is, those who are as earnest to find the right way of happiness-making as the hungry and thirsty are for food and drink.
“Blessed are the happiness-makers.”[9]
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake;” that is, those who are willing to suffer for the right.