Because a man has not traveled in the path of virtue, it is no indication that there is no good in him, and that he is not capable of entertaining noble thoughts and aspirations. Everyone is liable to err, and the majority of people, possessing as they do, weak Wills, err more through the influence and force brought to bear upon them by others, than from any real desire to do wrong. Those who make mistakes and travel the road that leads to ruin, are often more to be pitied than censured. It often happens that on account of an inherited weakness of character and Will, these people are but slaves to the thoughts of others, who use them to further their own desires.

A man who reveals the evil side of his nature when under the influence of the thoughts of his associates, is weak and needs assistance and increased strength as much as the man who is sick from disease. If that same man were placed under the influence of the thoughts of people who live pure lives, he would quickly respond to the new influence, and soon come into harmony with his surroundings, for the good always crowds out the bad, when a test of strength between the two is made. There is more good than bad in every man, for is he not fashioned after the Creator? The good in some is latent, and but awaits the right influence to encourage and develop it When the good in man is developed to the degree where it crowds out all evil, and not until then, will the soul return to the Great Source from which it came, there to remain.

If one wishes to cure bad habits in others, it is absolutely essential that his mind and thoughts be pure, for he cannot convey to others that which he does not possess. Every mind is constantly occupied with thoughts of some character, and these thoughts control the man. Hence, the secret of curing bad habits, lies in keeping the correct thoughts in the mind of the sufferer. Pure thoughts can be encouraged by means of pure environments and pure mental associates. Change the thoughts, and the evil will disappear, and good habits take its place. The Mentalist must treat his patients daily by means of the Mentalism under his control. He must not criticise the patient's actions when talking to him or thinking of him, but must indirectly show him the advantage of living a better, purer life. He must encourage the thoughts of the unfortunate into new and pure channels, and thus divert his mind from the old associates and his morbid line of thought. He must never antagonize him, or attempt to use force or commands, but must be patient and teach him the benefits of purer associations. All conversations carried on within his hearing should be elevating and not depressing. The person who is treating the patient for the purpose of curing the evil habits, must create or attract pure thoughts to fill his brain, and then the old evil thoughts will find no place to lodge. No one need attempt to take away the evil without first supplying an equal amount of good, for Nature will not permit him to do so. The greatest good for the patient can be obtained by surrounding him with all the better things of life, until his thoughts are out of harmony with his old associates. Then he will no longer find pleasure in the old conditions, and will of his own accord turn from them in disgust.

The existence of bad habits in anyone is an evidence of evil thoughts.

As the character of the thoughts change they will be expressed in the actions and life of the person.