It is a most important thing in character-building to become conscious of one's relation, obligation and duty to each person in the world and not to mix that link and connection that is established between oneself and another with a third person. One must consider everything that is trusted to one by every person in life as one's trust. And one must know that to prove true to the confidence of every person in the world is one's sacred obligation. In this manner a harmonious connection is established with every person, and it is the harmony established with every person which tunes the soul to the infinite.

It requires a great study of human nature together with tact to keep on harmonious terms with every person in life. If one has admiration for someone or a grudge against someone, it is better to express it directly instead of mixing it up with many connections and relations in the world. Friendship apart, even in an acquaintanceship this consideration is necessary to guard carefully that thin thread that connects two souls in whatever relationship or capacity.

Dharma in the language of the Hindus means religion, but the verbal meaning of the word is duty. It suggests that one's relation to every person in the world is one's religion, and the more conscientiously one follows it, the more keen one proves in following one's religion.

To keep the secret of our friend, our acquaintance, even of someone with whom for a time one has been vexed, is the most sacred obligation. The one who thus realizes his religion would never consider it right to tell another of any hurt or harm he has received from a friend. It is in this that self-denial is learned; not always in fasting and retirement in the wilderness. A person conscientious of his duty, of his obligations to his friends, is more pious than someone sitting alone in solitude. The one in the solitude does not serve God, he only helps himself by enjoying the pleasure of solitude. But the one who proves trustworthy to every soul he meets and considers his relation and connection, small or great, as something sacred, certainly observes the spiritual law of that religion which is the religion of all religions.

Faults? Everyone has faults. Oneself, one's friend and one's enemy, all are subject to faults. The one who wishes that his own faults may not be disclosed must necessarily consider the same for others he meets. If one only knew what the relation of friendship is between one soul and another, the tenderness of that connection, its delicacy, its beauty and its sacredness, one could enjoy life in its fulness, for one is living and must in this way some day communicate with God. It is the same bridge which connects two souls in the world that, once stretched, becomes the path to God.

There is no greater virtue in this world than proving kind and trustworthy to one's friend, worthy of his confidence. The difference between the old soul and the young soul is to be found in this particular principle. The young soul only knows himself and what he wants, absorbed in his own pleasures and displeasures, and obsessed by his ever changing moods. The old soul regards his relation to every soul, he keenly observes his obligations towards everyone he knows in the world, he covers his wounds if he happens to have them from the sight of others, and endures all things in order to fulfil his duty as best as he can towards everyone in the world.

Question : You spoke of covering the faults of others, but even of covering our own faults.

Answer : Yes, that is a still higher form.