plunge into the torrents of death and ascend to the heights,
that you may attain honor whose pillars are lofty;
no good resides in a soul that fears destruction,
nor in an ambition that bends before the blame of a blamer.
There is no way to mount this steed except through two things:
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Never yield, when standing for the truth, to the reproach(1) of any reproacher; for blame overtakes the rider, hurls him from his horse, and leaves him sprawling(2) on the ground.
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Let one’s own self become insignificant to him for God’s sake; then he will push forward and fear no terrors. Whenever the soul becomes afraid, it withdraws, holds back, and clings to the earth.
These two qualities are perfected only by patience. Whoever shows a little patience will find those very terrors turn into a gentle breeze that carries him of its own accord to his goal. What he once feared becomes his greatest helper and servant—something known only to those who have actually entered upon it.
As for his mount: it is genuine resort to God, cutting oneself off for Him completely, realizing utter need of Him from every(3) angle, imploring Him, and sincere—