What is the metaphor of the poison arrow?

If you expect little, you cannot feel unhappy if you receive little―

If you receive much, your pleasure is enhanced by your expectations being surpassed.

Whereas the pleasure of giving from a full heart ungrudgingly is well-known to be far greater than the pleasure given to the recipients.

But the truest source of contentment―or happiness lies in your holding all your possessions in trust, ready to give them up at any moment without repining.

The same kind hand that gave has the right to take away.

What do you have that you did not receive?

How then can you claim them for your own?

If you would only bear these things in mind, how much misery might you be spared?

If you would only feel that you are responsible to God and your own soul alone, how little you would care for others' opinions―or frowns.

If the world looks coldly upon you because you may not perhaps make quite so good an outside show, and even go so far as to censure and upbraid you because you may have been less successful in worldly matters than themselves, what effect would it have on properly-developed minds?

The peace and happiness you possess within would entirely blunt the points of such poisoned arrows.

Magnetised by Holy Spirit, such remarks would fall on the ear without inflicting the slightest wound, and however severe your worldly trials might be would still enjoy that happiness of which so many know nothing.

―Spirit N.