THE RULES OF THE ROAD
- The Road is trodden in the full light of day, thrown upon the Path by those who know and
lead. Naught [584] can then be hidden, and at each turn upon that Road a man must face
himself.
- Upon the Road the hidden stands revealed. Each sees and knows the villainy of each. And
yet there is, with that great revelation, no turning back, no spurning of each other, no
shakiness upon the Road. The Road goes forward into day.
- Upon that Road one wanders not alone. There is no rush, no hurry. And yet there is no
time to lose. Each pilgrim, knowing this, presses his footsteps forward, and finds himself
surrounded by his fellowmen. Some move ahead; he follows after. Some move behind; he sets
the pace. He travels not alone.
- Three things the Pilgrim must avoid. The wearing of a hood, a veil which hides his face
from others; the carrying of a water pot which only holds enough for his own wants; the
shouldering of a staff without a crook to hold.
- Each Pilgrim on the Road must carry with him what he needs: a pot of fire, to warm his
fellowmen; a lamp, to cast its rays upon his heart and shew his fellowmen the nature of
his hidden life; a purse of gold, which he scatters not upon the Road, but shares with
others; a sealed vase, wherein he carries all his aspiration to cast before the feet of
him who waits to greet him at the gate - a sealed vase.
- The Pilgrim, as he walks upon the Road, must have the open ear, the giving hand, the
silent tongue, the chastened heart, the golden voice, the rapid foot, and the open eye
which sees the light. He knows he travels not alone.
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