In plain words
So it is just this: to fix the mind on this very principle of the Ātma, to regard this body as a vehicle, and to lead life into good works and holy paths. Constantly to think good thoughts, for us to enter into charity, for us to enter into works of service, to steep our life in Prema for God: this is the divine in man.
The human in man means to do one's duties. Brahmacarya. Gṛhastha, vānaprastha, sannyāsa. To set life properly in these four paths, and with regard to the differences of age to set our conduct on the holy path; so the things a man can do are Satya, Dharma, Śānti and Prema. We must spend life in conduct joined with this humanness. This is the human in man.
First of all, understand what mānava means. Nava means new. Mā means …. What is not new, that is humanness. That is, this is not new. It keeps coming through many births. It is old. It is stale. Besides this we must take another meaning too. Mānava. Mā means ignorance. Na means without; va means to conduct oneself. That is, to live without ignorance, that is humanness. So, without going on such unholy paths, to enter the path of Dharma that befits a divine human being: that is humanness.
Not only in food and pleasures but in conduct too to take a cruel, that is a harsh, path. A life that has lost kindness and courtesy, morality and discipline: such a thing is the demonic. Selfishness alone is his supreme principle. He never knows in his life anything called helping others. This nature joined with selfishness is the demonic. The form is human, the deeds are demonic. That is why they called it the demonic in man. To enter into deeds that are against Dharma.
What is the animal in man? He needs nothing but food, sleep, mating and the like. Eating, sleeping. Craving, enjoying. These four are the marks of the animal nature. In Hindi they say: khānā, sonā. They say marnā. Eating, sleeping, dying. How does one die? One dies having enjoyed. There is nothing more to it than this. This is the animal in man. There is something lower than this animal in man.
Even giving up our own interest, we must cause harm to others. It does not matter if both his own eyes are lost. The other man must lose one eye. What wickedness! To do harm to the very one who did him good. That is the base. But that is not true humanness. To do good to one who does good is no great humanness. Do good to one who does harm, without finding fault; to do good even to one who does harm: that is humanness.