13. GAINING OR LOSING

13. Gaining or Losing ~ 38 ~ decisions. For it is by his willingness to do so that he will entitle himself to a share in God’s mercy. Similarly, when he has the experience of gaining he should not become haughty and start regarding himself as superior to others. On the contrary, success should only increase his modesty. He should become all the more particular regarding his duties in relation to God and humanity and perform them the more rigorously. In this world, losing and gaining are both forms of testing. Neither is the loser a failure, nor is the gainer a success. The actual criterion of success and failure is how each has reacted to those situations. The successful person is one who keeps his balance and composure whether gaining or losing. Neither experience should make him deviate from the path of moderation. Those who remain on this straight and narrow path are successful in the eyes of God. Nothing will hinder their progress towards success.