Eighteen ities

Serenity, regularity, absence of
vanity, sincerity, simplicity, veracity, equanimity, fixity,
non-irritability, adaptability, humility, tenacity,
integrity, nobility, magnanimity, charity, generosity,
purity.

1. SERENITY

Be tranquil within. Let that inner peace and joy radiate
through a

serene countenance. A serene countenance is peaceful,
smiling and

serious and does not betray any violent emotions. It is
like the

surface of a still lake. 

2. REGULARITY 

Be regular in your daily habits, and in your work and
spiritual

practices. Get up at a particular time. Be clock-like in
your

daily activities. You will be free from worry, fear,
anxiety,

haphazard and shabby work. You will do the right thing at
the

right moment. 

3. ABSENCE OF VANITY

Do not boast of your birth, position, qualifications and
spiritual

attainments. Praise others. See good in all. Treat even
the

lowliest creatures as your equal and with respect.

4. SINCERITY 

Let your words agree with the thoughts; let your actions
agree

with your words. Let there be harmony among your
thoughts, words

and actions. 

5. SIMPLICITY 

Be artless. Be simple in your speech. Do not twist words
and

topics. Be plain; avoid diplomacy, cunningness and
crookedness. Be

simple in your dress. Be simple in your food. 

6. VERACITY 

Be truthful. Stick to your promises. Do not exaggerate.
Do not

twist facts. Think twice before you speak. Speak
truthfully. Speak

sweetly. Be precise in what you say.

7. EQUANIMITY 

Be calm. Bear insult patiently. Bear injury, suffering,
failures

and disrespect calmly. Do not be elated by praise,
pleasure,

success and honour. Look upon both with equal vision.
Behave alike

towards friends and foes. Never let anything disturb your
inner

peace. 

8. FIXITY 

Remember that you cannot achieve anything if you are

fickle-minded. Choose your goal or ideal and remember it
always.

Never let it go out of mind even for a moment. 

9. NON-IRRITABILITY 

Irritability is the precursor of violent outbursts of
anger. Watch

carefully for the disturbance in the mental equilibrium.
Watch for

the ripples of anger that might rise in the lake of the
mind.

Quell them then and there. Do not allow them to assume
greater

proportions. Then you will attain peace. 

10. ADAPTABILITY 

Understand well the nature of people with whom you come
into

contact. Adjust your mode of approach to them. Adjust
yourself in

such a way as to be pleasing to them. Joyfully bear with
the

eccentricities of others. Always react in a harmonious
manner.

Serve all and love all. Have the feeling that the Lord
dwells in

the hearts of all as the Self of all. 

11. HUMILITY

 Respect everybody. Bow with folded hands before
all. Do not talk

in a loud voice before elders and venerable persons. Look
at the

toes while you walk. See the Lord in all and feel that
you are His

servant and so the servant of all. Consider none as
inferior to

you. 

12. TENACITY 

This is the natural friend of fixity. Once you have fixed
your aim

and chosen your path, stick to it. Do not waver. Be
steadfast.

Never compromise on your fundamental principles. Have
the

attitude: “I may give up my life but I will not swerve
from the

path; I will not break my vows.” 

13. INTEGRITY 

Develop an integral personality. Tie all the loose ends
of your

character. Become a man of high moral principles. Lead a
life of

righteousness. Let righteousness waft its sweet fragrance
from

you. Everyone will trust you, obey you, respect you and
revere

you. 

14. NOBILITY 

Shun mean-mindedness as dung and poison. Never look into
the

defects of others. Always appreciate the good qualities
of

everyone. Be dignified in bearing. Never stoop to
ignoble

thoughts, words and actions.

15. MAGNANIMITY 

Take a broad view of things. Ignore the faults of others:
Be great

and noble-minded in whatever you do. Avoid silly talk and
childish

prattle. Let not the mind dwell on little things and
insignificant

things. 

16. CHARITY 

Give, give and give. This is the secret of abundance.
Radiate

thoughts of goodness and love. Forgive the faults of
others. Bless

the man who injures you. Share what you have with
others.

Disseminate spiritual knowledge to one and all. Use the
material

wealth, knowledge and spiritual wisdom that you possess
as a

divine trust. 

17. GENEROSITY 

In whatever you give be liberal. Have a large heart. Do
not be

miserly. Take delight in the joy of others, in making
them happy.

Generosity is a sister-virtue of charity. It is the
fulfilment of

charity, magnanimity and nobility. 

18. PURITY 

Be pure at heart. Eradicate lust, anger and greed. Be
pure in your

thoughts. Think of God always. Think of the well-being of
all. Be

pure in your words; never utter harsh, unkind words. Be
pure in

body. Keep it clean and healthy. Let the dress and
surroundings be

clean. Observe the rules of physical, moral and spiritual
hygiene.

These eighteen “Ities” will pave the way for you to march
into the

kingdom of God. They will open for you the gates of
immortality.

You will achieve great success in this life itself. A man
who

possesses these qualities in a very large measure is a
saint

indeed, who will be respected, adored and worshipped by
one and

all.

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