The Second Chapter
Having a Humble Opinion of Self
EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is
knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who
serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his
soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well
becomes mean in his own eyes and is not happy when praised by
men.
If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it
profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds?
Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much
fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be
called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which
does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself
about other things than those which lead to salvation is very
unwise.
Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind
and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God.
The more you know and the better you understand, the more
severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy.
Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill.
Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you
know many things and understand them well enough, realize at
the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not
affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to
anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than
you?
If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then
love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and
despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of
oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is
the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another
sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself
better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good
estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more
frail than yourself.
The Third Chapter
The Doctrine of Truth
HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and
words that fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses
often deceive us and we discern very little.
What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters
when our ignorance of them will not be held against us on
Judgment Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and
necessary and undue concern with those which are irrelevant and
harmful, are great folly.
We have eyes and do not see.
What, therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? He
to whom the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing. For
from this Word are all things and of Him all things speak -- the
Beginning Who also speaks to us. Without this Word no man
understands or judges aright. He to whom it becomes everything,
who traces all things to it and who sees all things in it, may ease
his heart and remain at peace with God.
O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love
everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and
read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all
creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.
The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he
becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives
the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and
steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them
all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he
seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble
and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?
A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to
do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but according to
the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than
he who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose,
then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in
virtue.
Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it
and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble
knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of
learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge,
which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a clean
conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many
often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to
become learned rather than to live well.
If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting
virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so
much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious
organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be
asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well
we have spoken but how well we have lived.
Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you
knew so well in life and who were famous for their learning?
Others have already taken their places and I know not whether
they ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed to
be something; now they are seldom remembered. How quickly the
glory of the world passes away! If only their lives had kept pace
with their learning, then their study and reading would have been
worth while.
How many there are who perish because of vain worldly
knowledge and too little care for serving God. They became vain
in their own conceits because they chose to be great rather than
humble.
He is truly great who has great charity. He is truly great who is
little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest honor. He
is truly wise who looks upon all earthly things as folly that he may
gain Christ. He who does God's will and renounces his own is
truly very learned.
The Fourth Chapter
Prudence in Action
DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider
things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will. For very
often, sad to say, we are so weak that we believe and speak evil
of others rather than good. Perfect men, however, do not readily
believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is
prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech.
Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one's opinion, not to
believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one
has heard, is great wisdom.
Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man. Seek the advice
of your betters in preference to following your own inclinations.
A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him
experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the
more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in
all things.
The Fifth Chapter
Reading the Holy Scripture
TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy
Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it
was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather
than polished diction.
Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly
as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the
authority of the writer, whether he be a great literary light or an
insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not
to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but
the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many
ways without regard for persons.
Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when
we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to
read and pass by.
If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility,
simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being
learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the
saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for
they were not made without purpose.
The Sixth Chapter
Unbridled Affections
WHEN a man desires a thing too much, he at once becomes ill at
ease. A proud and avaricious man never rests, whereas he who is
poor and humble of heart lives in a world of peace. An
unmortified man is quickly tempted and overcome in small,
trifling evils; his spirit is weak, in a measure carnal and inclined to
sensual things; he can hardly abstain from earthly desires. Hence
it makes him sad to forego them; he is quick to anger if reproved.
Yet if he satisfies his desires, remorse of conscience overwhelms
him because he followed his passions and they did not lead to the
peace he sought.
True peace of heart, then, is found in resisting passions, not in
satisfying them. There is no peace in the carnal man, in the man
given to vain attractions, but there is peace in the fervent and
spiritual man.
NEXT PAGE
Having a Humble Opinion of Self
EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is
knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who
serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his
soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well
becomes mean in his own eyes and is not happy when praised by
men.
If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it
profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds?
Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much
fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be
called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which
does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself
about other things than those which lead to salvation is very
unwise.
Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind
and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God.
The more you know and the better you understand, the more
severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy.
Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill.
Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you
know many things and understand them well enough, realize at
the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not
affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to
anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than
you?
If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then
love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and
despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of
oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is
the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another
sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself
better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good
estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more
frail than yourself.
The Third Chapter
The Doctrine of Truth
HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and
words that fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses
often deceive us and we discern very little.
What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters
when our ignorance of them will not be held against us on
Judgment Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and
necessary and undue concern with those which are irrelevant and
harmful, are great folly.
We have eyes and do not see.
What, therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? He
to whom the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing. For
from this Word are all things and of Him all things speak -- the
Beginning Who also speaks to us. Without this Word no man
understands or judges aright. He to whom it becomes everything,
who traces all things to it and who sees all things in it, may ease
his heart and remain at peace with God.
O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love
everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and
read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all
creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.
The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he
becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives
the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and
steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them
all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he
seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble
and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?
A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to
do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but according to
the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than
he who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose,
then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in
virtue.
Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it
and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble
knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of
learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge,
which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a clean
conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many
often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to
become learned rather than to live well.
If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting
virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so
much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious
organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be
asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well
we have spoken but how well we have lived.
Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you
knew so well in life and who were famous for their learning?
Others have already taken their places and I know not whether
they ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed to
be something; now they are seldom remembered. How quickly the
glory of the world passes away! If only their lives had kept pace
with their learning, then their study and reading would have been
worth while.
How many there are who perish because of vain worldly
knowledge and too little care for serving God. They became vain
in their own conceits because they chose to be great rather than
humble.
He is truly great who has great charity. He is truly great who is
little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest honor. He
is truly wise who looks upon all earthly things as folly that he may
gain Christ. He who does God's will and renounces his own is
truly very learned.
The Fourth Chapter
Prudence in Action
DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider
things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will. For very
often, sad to say, we are so weak that we believe and speak evil
of others rather than good. Perfect men, however, do not readily
believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is
prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech.
Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one's opinion, not to
believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one
has heard, is great wisdom.
Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man. Seek the advice
of your betters in preference to following your own inclinations.
A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him
experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the
more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in
all things.
The Fifth Chapter
Reading the Holy Scripture
TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy
Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it
was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather
than polished diction.
Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly
as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the
authority of the writer, whether he be a great literary light or an
insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not
to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but
the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many
ways without regard for persons.
Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when
we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to
read and pass by.
If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility,
simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being
learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the
saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for
they were not made without purpose.
The Sixth Chapter
Unbridled Affections
WHEN a man desires a thing too much, he at once becomes ill at
ease. A proud and avaricious man never rests, whereas he who is
poor and humble of heart lives in a world of peace. An
unmortified man is quickly tempted and overcome in small,
trifling evils; his spirit is weak, in a measure carnal and inclined to
sensual things; he can hardly abstain from earthly desires. Hence
it makes him sad to forego them; he is quick to anger if reproved.
Yet if he satisfies his desires, remorse of conscience overwhelms
him because he followed his passions and they did not lead to the
peace he sought.
True peace of heart, then, is found in resisting passions, not in
satisfying them. There is no peace in the carnal man, in the man
given to vain attractions, but there is peace in the fervent and
spiritual man.
NEXT PAGE
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