If thou knewest the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it profit thee without the love of God, and without grace?

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, except to love God, and only to serve Him.

This is the highest wisdom, by contempt of the world to tend towards the kingdom of Heaven.

4. It is therefore vanity to seek after riches which perish, and to trust in them.

It is vanity also to strive after honours, and to climb to high degree.

It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh, and to labour for that for which thou must afterwards suffer most grievous punishment.

Vanity it is to desire to live long, and not to be careful to live well.

It is vanity to mind only this present life, and not to make provision for those things which are to come.

It is vanity to love that which speedily passeth away, and not to hasten thither where everlasting joy awaiteth thee.

5. Call often to mind that proverb, “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing."

Endeavour therefore to withdraw thy heart from the love of visible things, and to turn thyself to the invisible.

For they that follow their lusts stain their own consciences, and lose the grace of God.

CHAPTER II.

OF HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF OURSELVES.

LL men naturally desire knowledge; but what availeth knowledge without the fear of God?

Surely a humble peasant who serves God, is better than a proud philosopher who,

to the neglect of Him, studies the course of the heavens. Whoso knoweth himself, is lowly in his own eyes, and delighteth not in the praises of men.

If I understood all things in the world, and had not charity, what would that avail me in the sight of God, Who will judge me according to my deeds?

2. Cease from an inordinate desire for knowledge, for therein is much distraction and deceit.

Learned men are anxious to be esteemed learned by others, and to be called wise.

There are many things the knowledge of which doth little or nothing profit the soul: And he is very unwise who minds such things rather than those that tend to his salvation.

Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life comforteth the mind, and a pure conscience giveth great confidence in God.

3. The more and the better thou knowest and understandest, the more strictly wilt thou be judged, unless thy life be also more holy.

Be not therefore puffed up because of any art or science, but rather let the knowledge given thee make thee more cautious.

If thou thinkest that thou understandest and knowest

much; yet know that there be many more things which thou knowest not.

Affect not to be overwise, but rather acknowledge thine own ignorance.

Why wilt thou prefer thyself before others, seeing there be many more learned, and more skilful in the Scripture than thyself?

If thou wilt know or learn anything profitably, desire to be unknown, and little esteemed.

4. The highest and most profitable lesson is the true knowledge of ourselves.

To think nothing of ourselves, and to think always well and highly of others, is great wisdom and perfection.

If thou shouldest see another openly sin, or commit some heinous offence, yet oughtest thou not to esteem thyself better; for thou knowest not how long thou mayest be able to stand.

We are all frail, but esteem none more frail than thyself.

CHAPTER III.

OF THE DOCTRINE OF TRUTH.

APPY is he whom truth by itself doth teach, not by figures and words that pass away, but as it is in itself.

Our own opinion and our own sense do

often deceive us, and they discern but little. What availeth it to cavil and dispute about dark and hidden things; for ignorance of them we shall not be reproved in the day of judgment?

It is great folly to neglect things that are profitable and necessary, and to dwell upon those which are curious and hurtful. We have eyes and see not.

2. And what have we to do with genus and species? He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh, is delivered from many opinions.

From one Word are all things, and all things utter that one; and this is the Beginning, which also speaketh unto us. No man without that Word understandeth or judgeth rightly. He to Whom all things are one, He Who reduceth all things to one, and seeth all things in one; enjoys a quiet mind, and remains at peace in God.

O God, Who art the truth, make me one with Thee in everlasting love.

It wearieth me to read and hear many things: In Thee is all that I would have and can desire.

Let all doctors hold their peace; let all creatures be silent in Thy sight; speak Thou alone unto me.

3. The more a man is at one within himself, and of single heart, so much the more and higher things doth he under

stand without labour; for he receiveth the light of wisdom from above.

A pure, sincere, and stable spirit is not distracted, though it be employed in many works; for that it doeth all to the honour of God, and being at rest within, seeketh not itself in anything it doeth.

What hinders and troubles thee more than the unmortified affections of thine own heart?

A good and devout man arrangeth beforehand within himself those things which he ought to do.

Neither do they draw him according to the desires of an inordinate inclination, but according to the direction of right

reason.

Who hath a greater combat than he that laboureth to overcome himself?

This ought to be our endeavour, to conquer ourselves, and daily wax stronger, and grow in holiness.

4. All perfection in this life hath some imperfection mixed with it; and no knowledge of ours is without some darkness. A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.

Yet learning and knowledge are not to be blamed, for that is good, and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a virtuous life are always to be preferred.

But because many endeavour to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived, and reap but little or no fruit.

5. O, if men bestowed as much labour in the rooting out of vices, and the planting of virtues, as they do in moving questions, neither would there be so many evils, nor so great scandals, in the world.

Truly, at the day of judgment we shall not be examined as to what we have read, but as to what we have done; not