ACTION AND REACTION 35

(< All that we are is the result of what we
have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it
is made up of our thoughts."

By our activity, our acting on others, we
bring about a certain reaction on ourselves,
Joyousness spreads joyousness, a smiling face
calls forth a smiling face from another. Simi-
larly a " long" face begets a "long" face from
a neighbour. We act and react on each other
in a manner which comes often as a shock, and
which is a field of study if our desire is to act
well and honourably towards all.

The Lord Buddb£LBaid:

If a man speaks or acts "with an evil thought,
pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of
the ox that draws the carriage. ... If a man
speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness
follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

St. Pauls also puts it very strongly :

Be not deceived; God is not mocked; what-
soever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

This unchanging law makes us feel and realise
the universality of life, how none can live to
himself alone, but gives and takes whether he
will or not; for what he is he gives to others,
and what he is capable of receiving returns to
him. For instance, if he is irritable, despond-
ent, he passes his irritability and despondency