Philosophers readily discuss ethics. Moreover, they distinguish between ethics and morality. They derive morality from the Latin “mores”—customs; ethics, by contrast, from the Greek “ethos,” meaning mood and, accordingly, character.
They think that ethics must be justifiable, and therefore try to make it provable—just consider Socrates’ aphorism: “Whoever knows what is good does it!” They see customs as arising more from the habits and traditions of a people and therefore as pertaining less to their field than to the competence of ethnologists.
I, on the other hand, often use the concept of morality—although in a different sense.
Because I uphold the view that the customs of a people must be pure so that their mood may be pure as well.
People must be taught proper conduct from an early age, and through constant practice it must become habitual.
Therefore, I attach the greatest importance to the need for people, from their earliest childhood, to learn proper conduct—in other words, a way of behaving that they absorb with their mother’s milk.
Therefore, I advise you—and here we need to speak of ethics—to consider today what in your conduct is positive and agrees with My teaching. Hold fast to it.
By contrast, exclude negative tendencies from your life—no matter how dear they may be to you—otherwise one fine day they may destroy you.
Hold firmly to what is positive and moral, in other words, ethical; do not waver once you have made your choice. Ask God for help, and you will be able to free yourself from the heaviest chains. For bad tendencies are an expression of bondage lasting many lifetimes, not of freedom.
Sai Baba
They think that ethics must be justifiable, and therefore try to make it provable—just consider Socrates’ aphorism: “Whoever knows what is good does it!” They see customs as arising more from the habits and traditions of a people and therefore as pertaining less to their field than to the competence of ethnologists.
I, on the other hand, often use the concept of morality—although in a different sense.
Because I uphold the view that the customs of a people must be pure so that their mood may be pure as well.
People must be taught proper conduct from an early age, and through constant practice it must become habitual.
Therefore, I attach the greatest importance to the need for people, from their earliest childhood, to learn proper conduct—in other words, a way of behaving that they absorb with their mother’s milk.
Therefore, I advise you—and here we need to speak of ethics—to consider today what in your conduct is positive and agrees with My teaching. Hold fast to it.
By contrast, exclude negative tendencies from your life—no matter how dear they may be to you—otherwise one fine day they may destroy you.
Hold firmly to what is positive and moral, in other words, ethical; do not waver once you have made your choice. Ask God for help, and you will be able to free yourself from the heaviest chains. For bad tendencies are an expression of bondage lasting many lifetimes, not of freedom.
Sai Baba
