MAN has been called “the measurer,” which is apt. That which makes us parsimonious receivers is the idea of personal merit.

We adopt two extremes. Either we are frankly selfish and grab off all that comes our way (or weakly wish we had the courage to do so), or we jealously and dully measure out to ourselves what we think we “deserve,” striving to be unselfish, while nursing a resentfulness that we who are so good get so little, while the other fellow who is so bad gets so much.

It is a great pity that “goodness” is a harder chain to break than “badness.” To be frankly bad gives a sensation of freedom that is never or seldom experienced by the “good.” A man who is “bad” does not care a hoot whether he deserves anything or not, he plunges gorgeously and expands and prospers before our very eyes. Of course it is a very limited freedom, but he does not know this; so he has no consciousness of restriction.

It is when we start to be “good,” which we eventually all do, that Old Man Justice inside us gives a grin and whoops it up for all he is worth. We become so conscientious and honorable that life becomes a burden for ourselves and those around us. Our life is a perpetual walk over a tight rope. We lop off this pleasure and that, miserably striving to conform to our own wretched standard. This is indeed our “Day of Judgment.” The “gooder” we are; the more wretched we become, and the more inwardly self-pitying and resentful.

There is no harder taskmaster in the world than Old Man Justice in us. He grinds us farther and farther in the dust, until we fairly burst, and cast him out, imposter that he is, and get us a clean heart, washed by Love.

Let us discard self-merit. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. We none of us “deserve” anything, yet we may receive all if we are generous and gracious enough to receive. The saying that it is more blessed to give than to receive has misled a lot of us. It feels more blessed, because, before you can receive from man or the universe, you must cultivate a humble heart. You are too proud to take.