Various lessons of the spiritual life. I. Since I have now long spoken of manners and moral disciplines, again you ask, my son who are to be instructed, to be taught. You have heard what is written: To him whom few things do not suffice, more will not profit. I wrote to you before of gravity and of chastity, for whom indeed, as one aptly says, I fear even what is safe. But because admonition becomes for some a safeguard, for some a consolation, for some a perfecting, when understood, that is, by those who fulfil it; therefore most sweet sons must frequently be taught and instructed, that through certain delights of letters they may be able to conquer the bitternesses of their inward war.
Conquer therefore the carnal and the brutish, that is, lusts and the haughty; be manly in humility, weak in authority, simple in faith, learned in conduct, biting in others' affairs (that is, sharp against your own faults), lenient in your own; pure in friendship, shrewd against snares, hard in soft things, soft in hard things. Varied on level ground, level amid variety, cheerful in bitter things, sorrowful in cheerful things. Discordant in things necessary, even in true things. Severe in pleasant things, sweet in bitter things. Strong in tribulations, and weak in dissensions, slow to anger, quick to learn, slow also to speak (James 1:19), as holy James says, likewise swift to hear.
Effective in progress, dull in vengeance, careful in word, prompt in deed. Lovable to the upright, repugnant to the dishonest, gentle to the weak, hard to the foolish, upright to the upright, humble to the dejected. Sober everywhere, chaste everywhere, ever modest, patient as far as zeal allows, never covetous, ever generous, whether in means or in spirit. Timely in fastings, importunate in vigils. Discreet in offices, tenacious in studies, constant amid uproar, glad amid griefs. Bold in the cause of truth, timid in contentions, suppliant to the good, unconquerable to the evil, mild in liberality, untiring in charity, just in all things, loving to the worthy, merciful to the poor. Mindful of benefits, unmindful of injuries.
A lover of moderate things, unwilling for riches, a humbler of the spirit, a publisher of your thoughts. Obedient to elders, running together with juniors, equalling your equals. Striving with the perfect, not envying your betters, not grieving at those who outrun you, not detracting from those who lag behind, consenting to those who provoke you to good, though weary not failing, weeping and rejoicing at once, for fervour and for hope; ever fearing for the end, though making progress, since it is uncertain. II. Behold your memorial, O boy to be loved and sweet minister;
if you be such, you will be exceedingly blessed, because through prosperity and adversity you will be the same, ready for all things, meeting each occasion, tempering your bearing, nourishing what should grow, slaying what should diminish, smoothing the harsh, exasperating the blameworthy, ever solicitous, ever growing, ever acquiring, ever stretching toward things above, ever running toward the prize, ever desiring heavenly things, ever thirsting for divine things. Behold the teaching: give compliance if you can, that you may have happiness and power, since, fleeing the desires of boyhood, you have thus reduced the body into the power of the spirit and given yourself as a pledge for your sins, soon to be a soldier for eternal wages. O happy you! O blessed you!
and O wonderful boy, if you fulfil all these things! For if you are diligently occupied with sense and deed in all these things, you will have no leisure either for vain and wandering, or for base thoughts; but, as one beginning, you will ever gather to yourself those things which you will enjoy for ever, to be called a man of one mind, and a seeker of singular profit, an excellent trader of the eternal kingdom. Turn yourself therefore wholly to these things, since you have wherein to exercise your youth, your strength, your effectiveness, your vigour; lest, if these were exercised in contrary things, they perish, those who by force seize the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 11:12).