O Thou who hast declared intent to become one of us, hear then that
which thou must know to do: Single is the race, single of men and of
Gods, from a single source we both draw breath, but a difference of
power in everything keeps us apart, for we are as nothing but the
Gods stay forever. Yet we can, in greatness of minds, be like the
Gods. Though we know not to what goal by day or in the night, Fate
has written that we shall run beyond all seas, and earth's last
boundaries. Beyond the Spring of night and the Heaven's vast
expanse there lies a majesty which is the domain of the Gods. Those
who would pass through the Gates of Night and Day to that sweet
place, which is between the world of men and the domains of the
Lords of the Outer Spaces, know that unless there is truth in thy
heart, thy every effort is doomed to failure. HEAR THEN THE LAW:
That thou lovest all things in nature. That thou walkest humbly in
the ways of men and the ways of the Gods. Also it is the law that
contentment thou shalt learn, through suffering, and from long
years, and from nobility of mind and of purpose. FOR THE WISE NEVER
GROW OLD. Their minds are nourished by living in the daylight of the
Gods and if among the vulgar some discoveries should arise
concerning some maxims of thy belief in the Gods so do thou, for
the most part, keep silent. For there is a great risk of those who
straightaway vomit up that which they hast not digested. And when
someone shall say to thee, thou knowest naught and it bites thee
naught, then knowest thou that thou hast begun the work. And as
sheep do not bring their food to the shepherd to show how much they
have eaten but digesting inwardly their provender do bear outwardly
wool and milk, even so, do not display the maxims to the vulgar, but
rather the works that flow when they are digested.
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-This is part of Lady Sheba's First Degree Initiation Ritual, where it is
given as a speech made to the Candidiate by the High Priestess
