she obviously did become atheist and could see the mythology of god and jesus for what it was


commensurately she must have become disillusioned about people and realised the real poor was herself


so she was caught circumstantially in extreme disjunction


yet she survived and continued


i think thats what her rules are about


like the man writing on the wall to heaven i might bemoan thats its my lot to live by them


but it is my lot and my brain is shaped for them and they are shaped for me


the measure of age is not the measure of youth




_______________





speak as little as possible about yourself



keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others



avoid curiosity



do not interfere in the affairs of others



accept small irritations with good humor



do not dwell on the faults of others



accept censures even if unmerited



give in to the will of others



accept insults and injuries



accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded



accept injuries and insults



be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone



do not seek to be admired and loved



do not protect yourself behind your own dignity



give in, in discussions, even when you are right



always choose the more difficult task