Presently Raphael came back with the report that
Rabbi Mathia would not be cured lest he should again be tempted
to look at pretty women.
"'Go tell him in My name that he shall never be tempted again,'
said God
"And so the holy man regained his eyesight and was never
molested by Satan again."
The painful image of poor Rabbi M athia gouging out his eyes
supplanted the nude figure of the previous quotation in my mind
Reb Sender pursued his "exhortative talk." He dwelt on the duties
of man to man.
"If a man is tongue-tied, don't laugh at him, but, rather, feel pity
for him, as you would for a man with broken legs. Nor should you
hate a man who has a weakness for telling falsehoods. This, too, is
an affliction, like stuttering or being lame. Say to yourself, 'Poor
fellow, he is given to lying.' Above all, you must fight conceit,
envy, and every kind of ill-feeling in your heart. Remember, the
sum and substance of all learning lies in the words, 'Love thy
neighbor as thyself.' Another thing, remember that it is not enough
to abstain from lying by word of mouth; for the worst lies are
often conveyed by a false look, smile, or act.
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