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Turn your attention upon yourself and beware of
judging the deeds of other men, for in judging others
a man labors vainly, 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 should
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
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 upon your intelligence or
industry than upon the virtue of submission to Jesus
Christ, you will hardly, and in any case slowly,
become an enlightened man. God wants us to be
completely subject to Him and, through ardent love,
to rise above all human wisdom.
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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 inasmuch as 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 oftentimes 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!
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