he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.
Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion, others toward the end, while some are troubled almost constantly throughout their life. Others, again, are tempted only lightly according to the wisdom and justice of Divine Providence, who weighs the status and merit of each and prepares all for the salvation of his elect.
We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that he will see fit to help us; for according to the word of Paul, he will make issue with temptation that we might be able to bear it. Let us humble our souls under the hand of God in every trial and temptation, for he will save and exalt the humble in spirit.
A person’s progress is measured in temptations and trials; in them opportunity for merit and virtue is made more manifest.
When a man is not troubled, it is not hard for him to be fervent and devout, but if he bears up patiently in time of adversity, there is hope for great progress.
Some, guarded against great temptations, are frequently overcome by small ones in order that, humbled by their weakness in small trials, they may not presume on their own strength in great ones.
Chapter Fourteen
Avoiding Rash Judgment
Turn your attention upon yourself and beware of judging the deeds of others, for in judging others a man labors in vain, often makes mistakes, and easily sins; whereas, in judging and taking stock of himself he does something that is always profitable.
We frequently judge that things are as we wish them to be, for through personal feeling true perspective is easily lost.
If God were the sole object of our desire, we would not be disturbed so easily by opposition to our opinions. But often something lurks within or happens from without to draw us along with it.
Many, unawares, seek themselves in the things they do. They seem even to enjoy peace of mind when things happen according to their wish and liking, but if things happen otherwise than they desire, they are soon disturbed and saddened. Differences of feeling and opinion often divide friends and acquaintances, even those who are religious and devout.
An old habit is hard to break, and no one is willing to be led farther than he can see.
If you rely more on your intelligence or industry than on the virtue of submission to Jesus Christ, you will hardly, and in any case slowly, become an enlightened person. God wants us to be completely subject to him and, through ardent love, to rise above all human wisdom.
Chapter Device Fifteen
Works Done in Charity
Never do evil for anything in the world, or for the love of any man. For one who is in need, however, a good work may at times be purposely left undone or changed for a better one. This is not the omission of a good deed but rather its improvement.
Without charity external work is of no value, but anything done in charity, be it ever so small and trivial, is entirely fruitful, for God weighs the love with which a man acts rather than the deed itself.
He does much who loves much. He does much who does a thing well. He does well who serves the common good rather than his own interests.
Now, that which seems to be charity is often really sensuality, for man’s own inclination, his own will, his hope of reward, and his self-interest are motives seldom absent. On the contrary, he who has true and perfect charity seeks self in nothing, but searches all things for the glory of God. Moreover, he envies no man because he desires no personal pleasure, nor does he wish to rejoice in himself; rather he desires the greater glory of God above all things. He ascribes to man nothing that is good, but attributes it wholly to God from whom all things proceed as from a fountain, and in whom all the blessed shall rest as their last end and fruition.
If man had but a spark of true charity, he would surely sense that all the things of earth are full of vanity!
Chapter Sixteen
Bearing with the Faults of Others
Until God ordains otherwise, we ought to bear patiently whatever we cannot correct in ourselves and in others. Consider it better thus — perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial, your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly.
If, after being admonished once or twice, a person does not amend, do not argue with him but commit the whole matter to God that his will and honor may be furthered in all his servants, for God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many faults which others must endure.
If you cannot make yourself what you would wish to be, how can you bend others to your will? We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults. We wish them to be severely corrected, yet we will not correct ourselves. Their great liberty displeases us, yet we would not be denied what we ask. We would have them bound by laws, yet we will allow ourselves to be restrained in nothing. Hence, it is clear how seldom we think of others as we do of ourselves.
If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God’s sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another’s burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself or wise enough. Thus, we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity — adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.
Chapter Seventeen
Monastic Life
If you wish peace and concord with others, you must learn to break your will in many things. To live in monasteries or religious communities, to remain there without complaint, and to persevere faithfully till death is no small matter. Blessed indeed is he who lives a good life there, and there ends his days in happiness.
If you would persevere in seeking perfection, you must consider yourself a pilgrim, an exile on earth. If you would become a religious, you must be content to seem a fool for the sake of Christ. Habit and tonsure change a man but little; it is the change of life and the complete mortification of passions that endow a true religious.
He who seeks anything but God alone and the salvation of his soul will find only trouble and grief, and he who does not try to become the least, the servant of all, cannot remain at peace for long.
You have come to serve, not to rule. You must understand, too, that you have been called to suffer and to work, not to idle and gossip away your time. Here men are tried as gold in a furnace. Here no man can remain unless he desires with all his heart to humble himself before God.
Chapter Eighteen
The Example Set by the Holy Fathers
Consider the lively examples set by the saints, who possessed the light of true perfection and religion, and you will see how little, how
