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Ghazzali's Alchemy of Happiness. 



proportions, just as is that of oxyniel, which is composed 

 oj honey and vinegar that on being mixed, while they lose 

 their own flavor, acquire a new, delicate and useful flavor, 

 so also, by the blending of the various elements of the body, 

 a delicate exhalation is the result, which finds its home in 

 the heart. It gains other delicate qualities from the heart, 

 and from thence the blood channels, which are the veins of 

 pulsation, are supplied. The exhalation passes by their 

 means to the brain and from thence flows to all the mem- 

 bers. It is exceedingly hot, but in its passage to the brain, 

 it loses some of its heat and becomes tepid. By the distri- 

 bution of this spirit through the body, the eye sees, the ear 

 hears, the tongue tastes, the nose smells, and the rest of 

 the organs are endowed with their proper movements and 

 perform their appropriate functions. . . . 



So long as the spirit works in equilibrium, it is capable 

 of delicate operations and effects ; but so soon as excess of 

 heat or cold destroys the equilibrium, the exhaled fluid is 

 diminished, and it becomes incapable of movement and 

 sensation. . . . 



That cause which throws the constitution out of balance 

 and occasions the complete absence of the exhalation, is 

 called the Angel of death, who is also a creature of God. 

 Most persons merely know his name. . . . 



The second kind of spirit, which is called both human 

 spirit and heart, is not a body, and is not susceptible of di- 

 vision. It is the seat of the knowledge of God. In the 

 same manner, God himself is one, is not susceptible of sepa- 

 ration into parts and the place of his knowledge is one. . . . 



Even if the action of the larger part of the members 

 should be paralyzed, it is still possible that life should con- 

 tinue in a man. Death occurs, when, after the ruin of the 

 constitution, the delicate exhalation on that very account 

 is no longer transmitted to the members, and they are all 



