Petrarch. I understand, but thought that was just what I had been doing.
S. Augustine. You were mistaken.
Petrarch. Well, I will believe so.
S. Augustine. To make your belief certain, examine your own conscience. Conscience is the best judge of virtue. It is a guide, true and unerring, that weighs every thought and deed. It will tell you that you have never longed for spiritual health as you ought, but that, considering what great dangers beset you, your wishes were but feeble and ineffective.
Petrarch. I have been examining my conscience, as you suggested.
S. Augustine. What do you find?
Petrarch. That what you say is true.
S. Augustine. We have made a little progress, if you are beginning to be awake. It will soon be better with you now you acknowledge it was not well hitherto.
Petrarch. If it is enough to acknowledge, I hope to be able to be not only well but quite well, for never have I understood more clearly that my wishes for liberty and for an end to my misery have been too lukewarm. But can it be enough to desire only?
S. Augustine. Why do you ask?