Text of the meditation
Where is peace to be found? Where is the hiding place of truth? Let first things be put first: work before play, duty before enjoyment, and others before self. This is an excellent rule that cannot lead astray. To make a right beginning is half-way to victory. The athlete who makes a bad start may lose their prize; the merchant who makes a false start may lose their reputation; and the Truth-seeker who makes a wrong start may forgo the crown of Righteousness.
To begin with pure thoughts, sterling rectitude, unselfish purpose, noble aims and an incorruptible conscience: this is to start right. This is to put first things first, so that all other things will follow in harmonious order, making life simple, beautiful, successful and peaceful.
The soul will cry out for its lost heritage.
James Allen (1864–1912), Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year (1913) – public-domain text, gently modernised.
The original 1913 text is in the public domain.
