If we could use but a little violence upon ourselves in the beginning, we might afterwards do all things with ease and joy.
It is hard to leave off our old customs: and harder to go against our own will.
But if thou dost not overcome things that are small and light: when wilt thou overcome greater difficulties?
Resist thy inclination in the beginning, and break off the evil habit; lest perhaps by little and little the difficulty increase upon thee.
O! if thou wert sensible how much peace thou shouldst procure to thyself, and joy to others, by behaving thyself well; thou wouldst be more solicitous for thy spiritual progress.
Chap. XII.
Of the advantage of adversity.
1. It is good for us to have sometimes troubles and adversities; for they make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is in a state of banishment, and may not place his hopes in any thing of this world.
It is good that we sometimes suffer contradictions, and that men have an evil or imperfect opinion of us; even when we do and intend well.
These things are often helps to humility, and defend us from vain glory.