THE GOOD WORD ACCORDING TO · THE ULTRA-HARRIER
NED
Harry visits a great universityA platitude dealing with pride
Chapter 30
And again, there was no money of any kind charged by Harry when he went to visit the ccity’s greatest university,
2dWhich had been founded by the very same founding father who was the one responsible for Philadelphia’s great Institute,
3And when some of the followers complained about having to visit this great university,
4Which was located in the middle of a ePhiladelphia slum,
5Harry upbraided them, saying, Not every great university can be located in the middle of a fBoston slum,
6Because some of them must be located in the slums of other gcities,
7Such as this one,
8And it might do you some good to see how others live,
9Others who are less fortunate than yourselves,
10If such a thing is possible.
11But on this occasion, one of the followers was not inclined to be obedient,
12And continued to argue with Harry, saying, “Have you not htaught us that we should serve our selves before any other? iAnd are we not entitled by your Way to remain at the hotel, and have ourselves served with room service, rather than visit this ivy-clad imitation of a great university?”
13Several of the followers cowered, afraid that Harry would lose his temper,
14Which he did occasionally,
15But this time he simply laughed and replied, Never quote a man to himself,
16Unless you want him to blame you until the end of his life,
17jBecause no man who follows my way has any desire or intention to be consistent,
18Especially when it comes to platitudes,
19Which are not designed to capture great truths,
20kBut to sound good,
21For a moment.
22Still, since you have brought it up, I will remind you that what I said to you about serving your self was somewhat different from what you remember, being,
23No man can serve two masters: so I say to you, serve your self only.
24Notice that this says nothing about the plight of the man who best serves himself by serving another master,
25Especially if the Self in question has something to lose,
26aSuch as free rides on Learjets,
27And free weekends in Malibu,
28bAnd free residency in the nicest hotels,
29cIncluding room service.
30And in view of this particular situation, perhaps I should offer you another dplatitude,
31One dealing with pride,
32And how the man who seeks to serve his own comforts shouldn’t have any,
33And shouldn’t get his nose out of joint about trifles,
34eBut should keep it firmly planted between the buttocks of those who have power over him,
35Especially if the only alternative is taking responsibility for your own creature comforts,
36Because if you are following my way, there is no real pain in humiliation,
37For what is humiliation to the man who is not thinking about anything at all?
38Indeed, all you need to remember is one little sentence,
39Which can help you whenever you feel confused about this kind of question,
40Because it makes everything very clear, being,
41“I do not need to worry my little head about this,
42f“For I Serve Harry,
43“In order to serve myself.”
44Repeat this to yourself in moments of confusion,
45gAnd the Way will reveal itself to you as if by magic.
46Do you understand what I have said, my dear follower?
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Chapter 30 / 56