21. Evil adheres to our nature just as rust does
to metal or grime to a body. However, just as a metallurgist did not produce
rust nor parents bring about grime on their children, neither did God cause
evil. He implanted a conscience and reason into the human being so that he
would avoid evil, knowing that it is harmful to him and only leads toward
suffering. Be vigilant: in seeing someone successful in power and wealth, do
not in any way praise him. But at that moment, imagine death before you and you
will never wish for anything bad or earthly.
21. The soul has its own personal passions: pride,
hatred, covetousness, anger, despondency and others. When the soul commits
itself totally to God, it receives a feeling of genuine contrition and from His
generosity, a cleansing of all its passions. At the same time, it is taught not
to follow them as well as to receive the strength to overcome them and conquer
its enemies, which unceasingly lay obstacles in its path. If the soul remains
firm in its conversion and obedient submission to the Holy Spirit, which
teaches repentance, then the merciful Creator would take pity on her because of
her labors conducted through hardships and wants — in lengthy fasting, frequent
vigilance, in learning God’s word and continual prayer, rejection of worldly
comforts, in meekness and spiritual humility. If it remains firm in all this,
the generous God will deliver her from all temptations and through His mercy,
wrest her from the enemies’ clutches.
24. The more moderate life a person leads, the
calmer he becomes, because he does not fret about many things — about servants
and accumulation of material things. If we do get attached to these (earthly
things), as a consequence, we expose ourselves to tribulations that lead us to
grumbling against God. In this way, the desire for these many things fills us
with confusion and we wander in the darkness of a sinful life, not even knowing
ourselves.
27. In our conversations there should be no
harshness, because normally the qualities of modesty and virtue adorn
intelligent people more so than they do a maiden. A God-loving mind is a light
that illuminates the soul, just like the sun illuminates the body.
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