Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter IV
CHAPTER IV.
OF WISDOM AND FORETHOUGHT IN OUR ACTIONS.
E must not give ear to every saying or suggestion, but warily and patiently ponder things according to the will of God.
But alas; such is our weakness, that we often rather believe and speak evil than good of others.
The perfect do not easily credit everything spoken; for they know that human frailty is prone to evil, and very subject to error in words.
2. It is great wisdom not to be rash in thy doings, nor to stand stiffly in thine own conceits.
As also not to believe every thing which thou hearest, nor immediately to relate again to others what thou hast heard or dost believe.
Consult with him that is wise and of sound judgment, and seek to be instructed by one better than thyself, rather than follow thine own inventions.
A good life maketh a man wise according to God, and giveth him experience in many things.
The more humble a man is in himself, and the more resigned unto God, the more wise and peaceful shall he be in all things.