The Tyranny of Self
Great Thoughts
1 Kings 21:5
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?


There can be no real happiness in the heart, where self is enthroned. If you would have peace, you must seize, bind, and never again let loose, for self is the cruellest tyrant, the deepest shadow, and the blackest blot that darkens life. To be rid of the despot, you must begin by placing others first in all your thoughts and actions; at this the coward drops his head; he hates another to be first. Next, give him no thought or consideration at all, and though at this neglect he cry out piteously, heed him not, for now is the time to bind him hard and fast with the cords of forgetfulness; then cast him far behind, and be careful to allow neither the call of pain nor pleasure to entice you into loosening one jot or tittle of his bonds, or, once set free, the monster will rise again, hydra-headed, and, towering above all else, enfold and crush you within his clutches, until you are no more free, but a slave, bound hand and foot, in the deadly meshes of over-mastering self.

(Great Thoughts.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

WEB: But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, "Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?"




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