Painting by Nicolas Castell
Painting by Joseph Parker
"A clean life, an open mind, A pure heart, an eager intellect,
An unveiled spiritual perception, A brotherliness for all,
A readiness to give and receive advice and instruction,
A loyal sense of duty to the Teacher, A willing obedience to the behests of TRUTH,
Once we have placed our confidence in, And believe that Teacher to be in possession of it;
A courageous endurance of personal injustice, A brave declaration of principles,
A valiant defence of those who are unjustly attacked, And a constant eye to the ideal of human progression, And perfection which the secret science depicts—
These are the golden stairs Up the steps of which the learner may climb
To the Temple of Divine Wisdom."
By H. P. Blavatsky