Be sweet and affable to all except to those who would take from thee thy glory, which is thy misery and thy absolute poverty: “I glory in my infirmities,” says the Apostle; “it is good for me to die, rather than that any man should make my glory void.” See, he would rather die than lose his infirmities.
315.
Yes, you must keep your misery and lowliness, for God looks down upon it. Men look at the exterior, God looks at the heart; if He sees the lowliness of your heart He will give us great graces. This humility preserves chastity; that is why the soul of the spouse is called the Lily of the Valley.
316.
Keep yourself joyously humble before God, but maintain an equally joyous humility before the world. Be very glad that men make no account of you. If you have their esteem laugh at it joyously; if they esteem you not, console yourself that, as regards you at least, the world judges truly.
317.
I am truly like those fathers who never tire speaking with their children of means for their advancement. But what shall I say to you to this end? Be always very lowly; humble yourself more and more every day. This is true greatness.
318.
I have gotten the habit of recommending all who address themselves to me to lift up their hearts, as the Church tells us in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A heart thus generously lifted up is always humble, for it is established in truth and not in vanity; it is sweet and peaceful, for it makes no account of what could trouble it.