"WE SHOULD enjoy much peace if we did not
concern ourselves with what others say and do, for these are no concern
of ours.
How can a man who meddles in affairs not his own, who seeks
strange distractions, and who is little or seldom inwardly recollected,
live long in peace?
Blessed are the simple of heart for they shall enjoy peace in abundance. Why were some of the saints so perfect and so given to contemplation?
Because they tried to mortify entirely in themselves
all earthly desires, and thus they were able to attach themselves
to God with all their heart and freely to concentrate their
innermost thoughts. "
The Twelfth Chapter
The Value of Adversity
"IT IS good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.
"When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted, and
tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need
is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries
and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living
longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with
Christ. Then he understands fully that perfect security
and complete peace cannot be found on earth."
Amen and Amen.
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