Book III, Chapter XXXIX

That a Man Must Not Be Overeager in His Affairs

1. Son, always commit thy cause to me; I will dispose well of it in due season. Wait for my disposal, and thou shalt find it will be for thy advantage.

2. Lord, I willingly commit all things to thee, for my care can profit little. I wish I was not too much set upon future events, but offered myself with all readiness to thy divine pleasure.

3. My son, oftentimes a man eagerly sets about a thing which he desires; but when he has obtained it, he begins to be of another mind, for our inclinations are not wont to continue long upon the same thing, but rather pass from one thing to another. It is therefore a thing not of the least importance, to forsake one’s self even in the least things.

4. A man’s true progress consists in denying himself; and the man that has renounced himself is very much at liberty, and very safe. But the old enemy, who opposes all that is good, fails not to tempt; but day and night lays his dangerous plots to withdraw the unwary into his deceitful snare. Watch and pray, saith the Lord, that ye enter not into temptation. (Matthew 26)

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