In every matter look to thyself, what thou doest and sayest; and direct thy whole attention into this, to please Me alone, and neither to desire nor to seek any thing besides Me.
But of the words and deeds of others judge nothing rashly: neither do thou entangle thyself with things not entrusted unto thee, that thus thou mayest be little or seldom disturbed.
2. But never to feel any disturbance at all, nor to suffer any trouble of mind or body, belongs not to this life, but to the state of eternal rest.
Think not therefore that thou hast found true peace, if thou feel no heaviness; nor that all is well, if thou art vexed with no adversary; nor that all is perfect, if all things are done according to thy desire.
Do not thou think highly of thyself, nor account thyself to be specially beloved, if thou be in a state of great devotion and sweetness; for it is not by these things that a true lover of virtue is known, nor doth the spiritual progress and perfection of a man consist in these things.
3. Wherein, then, O Lord, doth it consist?
In giving thyself up with all thy heart to the divine will, not seeking thine own interest, either in great matters or in small, either in time or in eternity.
So shalt thou keep one and the same countenance, always giving thanks both in prosperity and adversity, weighing all things equally.
Be thou so full of courage, and so patient in hope, that when inward comfort is withdrawn, thou mayest
