De Imitatione Christi: Liber Primus 12-20 of|imitation|Christ|book|first Über die Nachfolge Christi: Das erste Buch 12-20 De l'imitation du Christ : le premier livre 12-20 Sull'imitazione di Cristo: il primo libro 12-20 Over de navolging van Christus: het eerste boek 12-20 Sobre a Imitação de Cristo: O Primeiro Livro 12-20 论效法基督：第一本书 12-20 The Imitation of Christ: Book One 12-20

Cap. chapter Chapter. 12. 12. De utilitate adversitatis. of|usefulness|adversity On the usefulness of adversity.

1\\. 1\. Bonum nobis est, quod aliquando habeamus aliquas gravitates et contrarietates, quia sæpe hominem ad cor revocant, quatenus se in exilio esse cognoscat, nec spem suam in aliqua mundi re ponat. good|for us|it is|that|sometimes|we have|some|burdens|and|contradictions|because|often|man|to|heart|they call back|as far as|himself|in|exile|to be|he may know|nor|hope|his|in|any|world|thing|he may place It is good for us that we sometimes have some difficulties and adversities, because they often bring a person back to their heart, so that they may recognize themselves to be in exile, and not place their hope in any worldly thing. Bonum est quod patiamur quandoque contradictiones, et male et imperfecte de nobis sentiatur, etiamsi bene agimus, et intendimus. good|it is|that|we may endure|sometimes|contradictions|and|badly|and|imperfectly|about|us|it may be felt|even if|well|we act|and|we intend It is good that we sometimes endure contradictions, and that we are perceived poorly and imperfectly, even if we are doing well and striving. Ista sæpe juvant ad humilitatem, et a vana gloria nos defendunt. these|often|they help|to|humility|and|from|vain|glory|us|they defend These often help towards humility, and defend us from vain glory. Tunc enim melius interiorem testem Deum quærimus, quando foris vilipendimur ab hominibus, et non bene de nobis creditur. then|indeed|better|inner|witness|God|we seek|when|outside|we are despised|by|men|and|not|well|about|us|it is believed For then we seek the inner witness, God, better when we are despised by men outside, and not well thought of.

2\\. 2. Ideo deberet se homo totaliter firmare, et non esset ei necesse multas consolationes quærere. therefore|he should|himself|man|totally|to strengthen|and|not|it would be|to him|necessary|many|consolations|to seek Therefore, a person should completely strengthen themselves, and it would not be necessary for them to seek many consolations. Quando homo bonæ voluntatis tribulatur vel tentatur aut malis cogitationibus affligitur, tunc Deum magis sibi necessarium intelligit, sine quo nihil omnino se posse testatur. when|man|good|will|he is troubled|or|he is tempted|or|evil|thoughts|he is afflicted|then|God|more|to himself|necessary|he understands|without|which|nothing|at all|himself|to be able|he testifies When a person of good will is troubled or tempted or afflicted by evil thoughts, then they understand God to be more necessary for them, without whom they declare that they can do nothing at all. Gemit et orat pro miseriis quas patitur. he groans|and|he prays|for|the miseries|which|he suffers He groans and prays for the miseries he suffers. Tunc tædet eum diutius vivere, mortem optat venire, ut possit dissolvi, et esse cum Christi. then|it tires|him|longer|to live|death|he wishes|to come|so that|he can|to be released|and|to be|with|Christ Then he is weary of living longer, he wishes for death to come, so that he may be released and be with Christ. Tunc etiam bene advertit securitatem et plenam pacem in mundo non posse stare. then|also|well|he notices|security|and|full|peace|in|the world|not|to be able|to stand Then he also rightly observes that security and complete peace cannot stand in the world.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 13. 13. De resistendis tentationibus. about|resisting|temptations On resisting temptations.

1\\. 1. Quamdiu in mundo vivimus sine tribulatione et tentatione esse non possumus. as long as|in|world|we live|without|tribulation|and|temptation|to be|not|we can As long as we live in the world, we cannot be without tribulation and temptation. Unde in Job scriptum est: Tentatio est vita hominis super terram. whence|in|Job|written|is|temptation|is|life|of man|upon|earth Where it is written in Job: The life of man upon earth is a trial. Ideo unusquisque sollicitus esse deberet circa tentationes suas, et vigilare in orationibus, ne Diabolus inveniret locum decipiendi, qui nunquam dormitat, sed circuit quærens quem devoret. therefore|everyone|anxious|to be|ought|about|temptations|his own|and|to watch|in|prayers|lest|the Devil|he found|place|to deceive|who|never|he sleeps|but|he roams|seeking|whom|he may devour Therefore, everyone should be concerned about their temptations and watch in prayers, lest the Devil find a place to deceive, who never sleeps, but goes about seeking whom he may devour. Nemo tam sanctus et perfectus est, qui non habeat aliquando tentationes, et plene eis carere non possimus. no one|so|holy|and|perfect|is|who|not|he has|at any time|temptations|and|fully|them|to be without|not|we can No one is so holy and perfect that they do not sometimes have temptations, and we cannot be completely free from them.

2\\. 2\. Sunt tamen tentationes hominibus valde utiles, licet molestæ sint et graves, quia in his homo humiliatur, purgatur et eruditur. they are|however|temptations|to men|very|useful|although|bothersome|they are|and|serious|because|in|these|man|he is humbled|he is purified|and|he is educated However, temptations are very useful for men, although they are bothersome and serious, because through them a man is humbled, purified, and educated. Omnes Sancti per multas tribulationes et tentationes transierunt et profecerunt, et qui tentationes sustinere nequiverunt, reprobi facti sunt, et defecerunt. all|saints|through|many|tribulations|and|temptations|they went through|and|they progressed|and|those who|temptations|to endure|they could not|reprobates|having been made|they are|and|they failed All Saints went through many tribulations and temptations and made progress, and those who could not endure temptations became reprobate and fell away. Non est aliquis ordo tam sanctus, et locus tam secretus, ubi non sint tentationes et adversitates. not|there is|any|order|so|holy|and|place|so|secret|where|not|there are|temptations|and|adversities There is no order so holy, and no place so secret, where there are not temptations and adversities.

3\\. 3\. Non est homo securus a tentationibus totaliter, quam diu vixerit, quia in nobis est unde tentamur. not|is|man|secure|from|temptations|totally|as|long|he has lived|because|in|us|is|whence|we are tempted No man is completely secure from temptations as long as he lives, because within us is that from which we are tempted. Ex quo in concupiscentia nati sumus, una tribulatione vel tentatione recedene alia supervenit, et semper aliquid ad patiendum habemus. from|which|in|lust|born|we are|one|tribulation|or|temptation|retreating|another|it comes upon|and|always|something|to|suffering|we have Since we were born in concupiscence, one trial or temptation recedes only for another to come, and we always have something to suffer. Nam bonum felicitatis perdidimus. for|good|happiness|we have lost For we have lost the good of happiness. Multi quærunt tentationes fugere, et gravius incidunt in eas. many|they seek|temptations|to flee|and|more seriously|they fall|into|them Many seek to flee from temptations, and they fall more heavily into them. Per solam fugam non possumus vincere, sed per patientiam et veram humilitatem, omnibus hositbus efficimur fortiores. through|only|flight|not|we can|to win|but|through|patience|and|true|humility|all|enemies|we become|stronger By mere flight we cannot conquer, but through patience and true humility, we become stronger against all enemies.

4\\. 4\. Qui tantummodo exterius declinat, nec radicem evellit, parum proficiet, imo citius ad eum tentationes redient, et pejus sævient. he who|only|outwardly|he declines|nor|root|he uproots|little|he will profit|rather|sooner|to|him|temptations|they will return|and|worse|they will rage He who only declines outwardly, and does not uproot the root, will profit little; rather, temptations will return to him more quickly and rage worse. Paulatim, et per patientiam cum longanimitate Deo juvante melius superabis, quam cum duritia et importunitate propria. gradually|and|through|patience|with|long-suffering|God|helping|better|you will overcome|than|with|hardness|and|persistence|own Gradually, and with patience and long-suffering, with God's help, you will overcome better than with your own hardness and importunity. Sæpe accipe consilium in tentatione, et cum tentato noli duriter agere, sed consolationes ingere, sicut tibi optares fieri. often|take|advice|in|temptation|and|when|tempted|do not|harshly|act|but|consolations|bring|as|to you|you would wish|to be Often take advice in temptation, and when tempted do not act harshly, but bring in comforts, as you would wish to be done to you.

5\\. 5. Initium omnium malarum tentationum inconstantia animi est, et parva ad Deum confidentia, quia sicut navis sine gubernaculo hinc inde a fluctibus impellitur, ita homo remissus, et suum propositum deferens varie tentatur. the beginning|of all|evil|temptations|inconstancy|of the mind|is|and|little|to|God|confidence|because|as|ship|without|helmsman|here|there|by|waves|is driven|thus|man|relaxed|and|his|purpose|carrying|variously|is tempted The beginning of all evil temptations is the instability of the mind, and a small confidence in God, for just as a ship without a helmsman is driven here and there by the waves, so a careless man, carrying his purpose, is variously tempted. Ignis probat ferrum, et tentatio hominem justum. fire|tests|iron|and|temptation|man|righteous Fire tests iron, and temptation tests a just man. Nescimus sæpe quid possumus, sed tentatio aperit quid sumus. we do not know|often|what|we can|but|temptation|opens|what|we are We often do not know what we can do, but temptation reveals what we are. Vigilandum tum præcipue circa initium tentationis, quia tunc facilius hostis vincitur, si ostium mentis nullatenus intrare finitur, sed extra limen statim ut pulsaverit illi obviatur. to be vigilant|then|especially|around|beginning|of temptation|because|then|more easily|enemy|is conquered|if|door|of the mind|not at all|to enter|is finished|but|outside|threshold|immediately|as|he/she/it knocks|to him|is met We must be especially vigilant at the beginning of temptation, because then the enemy is more easily defeated if the door of the mind is not allowed to enter at all, but is immediately met at the threshold as soon as he knocks. Unde quidam dixit, Principiis obsta, sero medicina paratur. whence|a certain|he said|beginnings|resist|late|remedy|is prepared Hence, someone said, "Resist the beginnings, the remedy is prepared too late." Nam primo occurrit menti simplex cogitatio, deinde fortis imaginatio, postea delectatio, et motus pravus, et assensio, sicque paulatim hostis malignus ex toto ingreditur, dum illi non resistitur in pricipio. for|first|it occurs|to the mind|simple|thought|then|strong|imagination|afterwards|delight|and|movement|evil|and|assent|and thus|gradually|enemy|malicious|from|whole|he/she/it enters|while|to him|not|it is resisted|in|the beginning For at first a simple thought occurs to the mind, then a strong imagination, afterwards delight, and a perverse motion, and consent, and thus gradually the malicious enemy enters completely, while he is not resisted at the beginning. Et quanto diutius ad resistendum quis torpuerit, tanto in se quotidie debilior fit, et hostis contra eum potentior. and|the more|longer|to|resisting|whoever|has become sluggish|so much|in|himself|daily|weaker|becomes|and|enemy|against|him|stronger And the longer someone has been sluggish in resisting, the weaker they become each day, and the enemy becomes stronger against them.

6\\. 6. Quidam in principio conversionis suæ graviores tentationes patiuntur, quidam in fine, quidam quasi per totam vitam suam male habent. some|in|the beginning|of conversion|their|more serious|temptations|they suffer|some|in|the end|some|as if|through|the whole|life|their|badly|they have Some suffer more serious temptations at the beginning of their conversion, some at the end, and some struggle poorly throughout their entire life. Nonnulli fatis leviter tentantur, secundum divinæ ordinationis sapientiam et æquitatem, quæ statum, et hominum merita pensat, et cuncta ad electorum suorum salutem præordinat. some|by fates|lightly|they are tempted|according to|divine|ordination|wisdom|and|equity|which|state|and|of men|merits|it weighs|and|all things|for|of the elect|their|salvation|it preordains Some are lightly tempted by fate, according to the wisdom and fairness of divine ordination, which weighs the state and merits of people, and preordains everything for the salvation of its elect.

7\\. 7. Ideo non debemus desperare, cum tentamur, sed eo ferventius Deum exorare, quatenus dignetur in omni tribulatione nostra nos adjuvare, qui utique, secundum dictum S. Pauli, etiam faciet cum tentatione proventum, ut possimus sustinere. therefore|not|we must|despair|when|we are tempted|but|to that|more fervently|God|to beseech|so that|He may deem worthy|in|every|tribulation|our|us|to help|who|certainly|according to|saying|Saint|Paul's|also|He will make|with|temptation|outcome|so that|we may be able|to endure Therefore, we must not despair when we are tempted, but rather fervently pray to God, that He may deign to help us in all our tribulation, who certainly, according to the saying of St. Paul, will also provide a way out with the temptation, so that we may be able to endure. Humiliemus ergo animas nostras sub manu Dei in omni tentatione et tribulatione, quia humiles spiritu salvabit, et exultabit. let us humble|therefore|souls|our|under|hand|of God|in|every|temptation|and|tribulation|because|humble|in spirit|He will save|and|He will rejoice Let us therefore humble our souls under the hand of God in every temptation and tribulation, for He will save the humble in spirit, and He will rejoice.

8\\. 8. In tentationibus et tribulationibus probatur homo quantum profecit, et ibi majus meritum existit, et virtus melius patescit. in|temptations|and|tribulations|is tested|man|how much|he has progressed|and|there|greater|merit|exists|and|virtue|better|it becomes evident In temptations and tribulations, a man is tested as to how much he has progressed, and there exists a greater merit, and virtue is revealed more clearly. Nec magnum est, si homo devotus fit, et fervidus, cum gravitatem non sentit, sed si tempore adversitatis patienter se sustinet, spes magni profectus erit. nor|great|it is|if|man|devoted|he becomes|and|fervent|when|seriousness|not|he feels|but|if|time|of adversity|patiently|himself|he endures|hope|great|progress|it will be Nor is it great if a man becomes devoted and fervent when he does not feel the weight, but if in times of adversity he patiently endures, there will be hope of great progress. Quidam a magnis tentationibus custodiuntur, et in quotidianis tam sæpe vincuntur, ut humiliati, nunquam de se ipsis in magnis confidant, qui in tam modicis infirmantur. some|from|great|temptations|they are guarded|and|in|daily|so|often|they are conquered|that|humbled|never|about|themselves|in themselves|in|great|they trust|those who|in|such|small|they are weakened Some are kept safe from great temptations, and in daily matters they are so often overcome, that being humbled, they never trust in themselves in great things, who are weakened in such small matters.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 14. 14. De temerario judicio vitando. about|rash|judgment|avoiding On avoiding rash judgment.

1\\. 1. Ad te ipsum oculos reflecte et aliorum facta caveas judicare. to|you|yourself|eyes|reflect|and|others'|deeds|you should beware|to judge Reflect your eyes upon yourself and beware of judging the actions of others. In judicando alios homo frustra laborat, sæpius errat, et leviter peccat. in|judging|others|man|in vain|he works|more often|he errs|and|lightly|he sins In judging others, a man works in vain, often errs, and sins lightly. Se ipsum vero judicando et discutiendo semper fructuose laborat. himself|himself|truly|judging|and|discussing|always|fruitfully|he works But in judging and examining himself, he always works fruitfully. Sicut nobis res cordi est, sic de ea frequenter judicamus. as|to us|thing|dear|it is|so|about|it|frequently|we judge As a matter is dear to us, so we often judge about it. Nam verum judicium propter privatum amorem faciliter perdimus. for|true|judgment|because of|private|love|easily|we lose For we easily lose true judgment because of private love. Si Deus semper esset pura intentio desiderii nostri, non tam faciliter turbaremur pro resistentia sensus nostri. if|God|always|were|pure|intention|of desire|our|not|so|easily|we are disturbed|for|resistance|of sense|our If God were always the pure intention of our desire, we would not be so easily disturbed by the resistance of our senses.

2\\. 2. Sed semper aliquid ab intra latet, vel etaim ab extra concurrit, quod nos etiam pariter trahit. but|always|something|from|within|it hides|or|even|from|outside|it converges|which|us|also|together|it pulls But something always lies hidden from within, or even from without, which also pulls us along. Multi occulte se ipsos quærunt in rebus, quas agunt, et nesciunt. many|secretly|themselves|themselves|they seek|in|things|which|they do|and|they do not know Many secretly seek themselves in the things they do, and do not know. Videntur etiam in bona pace stare, quum res pro eorum velle fiunt. they seem|also|in|good|peace|to stand|when|things|for|their|to want|they become They also seem to stand in good peace when things happen according to their wishes. Propter diversitatem sensuum, et opinionum satis frequenter oriuntur diffensiones inter amicos et cives, inter religiosos et devotos. because of|diversity|of senses|and|of opinions|quite|frequently|they arise|disputes|among|friends|and|citizens|among|religious|and|devoted Due to the diversity of feelings and opinions, disagreements frequently arise among friends and citizens, among the religious and the devout.

3\\. 3. Antiqua consuetudo difficulter relinquitur et ultra proprium videre nemo libenter ducitur. ancient|custom|with difficulty|it is relinquished|and|beyond|own|to see|no one|willingly|is led Ancient customs are difficult to abandon, and no one is willingly led beyond their own perspective. Si rationi tuæ magis inniteris vel industriæ, quam virtuti subjectivæ Jesu Christi, raro et trade eris homo illuminatus, quia Deus vult nos sibi perfecte subjicii, et omnem rationem per inflammatum amorem transcendere. if|reason|your|more|you lean|or|diligence|than|virtue|subjective|Jesus|Christ|rarely|and|you will be|you will be|man|enlightened|because|God|wants|us|to himself|perfectly|to submit|and|all|reason|through|inflamed|love|to transcend If you rely more on your reasoning or industry than on the subjective virtue of Jesus Christ, you will rarely be an enlightened man, because God wants us to submit perfectly to Him and to transcend all reasoning through inflamed love.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 15. 15. De operibus ex charitate factis. on|works|from|charity|done On works done out of charity.

1\\. 1\. Pro nulla re mundi, et pro nullius hominis dilectione aliquod malum est faciendum. for|no|thing|of the world|and|for|no|man's|love|any|evil|is|to be done For no reason in the world, and for no man's love, should any evil be done. Sed pro utilitate indigentis bonum opus aliquando intermittendum aut quandoque pro meliori mutandum. but|for|the benefit|of the needy|good|work|sometimes|to be interrupted|or|at times|for|better|to be changed But for the benefit of the needy, a good deed should sometimes be interrupted or sometimes changed for a better one. Hoc nam facto opus bonum non destruitur, sed in melius commutatur. this|for|having been done|work|good|not|is destroyed|but|into|better|is changed For this reason, a good deed is not destroyed, but transformed for the better. Sine charitate opus externum non prodest quemquam. without|charity|work|external|not|it benefits|anyone Without charity, external work is of no benefit to anyone. Quicquid autem ex charitate agitur quantumcumque etiam parvum sit, et despectum totum efficitur fructuosum. whatever|however|from|charity|it is done|however much|even|small|it is|and|despised|whole|it becomes|fruitful However, whatever is done out of charity, no matter how small it may be, is made entirely fruitful. Magis si quidem Deus pensat ex quanto quis agit, quam quantum quis facit. more|if|indeed|God|he weighs|from|how much|anyone|he acts|than|how much|anyone|he does Indeed, God weighs more on how much one acts than on how much one does.

2\\. 2\. Multum quis facit, qui multum diligit. much|who|he does|who|much|he loves He who loves much does much. Multum facit qui rem bene facit. much|he does|who|thing|well|he does He does much who does the thing well. Bene facit, qui magis communitati, quam suæ voluntati fervit. well|he does|who|more|community|than|his own|will|he is passionate He does well who is more fervent for the community than for his own will. Sæpe videtur esse charitas, et est magis carnalitas, quia carnalis inclinatio, propria voluntas, spes retributionis, affectus voluntatis raro abesse volunt. often|it seems|to be|charity|and|it is|more|carnality|because|carnal|inclination|own|will|hope|of reward|feelings|of will|rarely|to be absent|they want It often seems to be charity, but it is more carnality, because carnal inclination, personal will, hope of reward, and the affections of the will are rarely absent.

3\\. 3\. Qui veram et perfectam charitatem habet, in nulla re se ipsum quærit, sed Dei solummodo gloriam in omnibus fieri desiderat. who|true|and|perfect|charity|has|in|no|thing|himself|himself|seeks|but|God's|only|glory|in|all|to be done|desires He who has true and perfect charity seeks himself in nothing, but desires only the glory of God to be done in all things. Nulli etiam invidet, quia nullum privatum gaudium amat, nec in se ipso vult gaudere, sed in Deo super omnia optat bona beatificari. to no one|also|envies|because|no|private|joy|loves|nor|in|himself|himself|wants|to rejoice|but|in|God|above|all|he wishes|good things|to be made blessed He envies no one, because he loves no private joy, nor does he wish to rejoice in himself, but above all he desires to be blessed in God. Nemini aliquid boni attribuit, sed totaliter ad Deum refert tota, unde omnia procedunt. to no one|anything|good|he attributes|but|totally|to|God|he refers|all|from where|all|they proceed He attributes nothing good to anyone, but totally refers everything to God, from whom all things proceed. In quo finaliter omnes Sancti fruibiliter quiescunt. in|which|finally|all|Saints|enjoyably|they rest In which finally all the Saints rest enjoyably. O qui scintillam haberet veræ charitatis, perfecte omnia terrena sentiret plena vanitatis. O|who|spark|he would have|true|charity|perfectly|all|earthly|he would feel|full|of vanity O who would have a spark of true charity, would perfectly feel all earthly things to be full of vanity.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 16. 16. De sufferentia defectuum aliorum. about|suffering|of defects|of others On enduring the shortcomings of others.

1\\. 1. Quæ rarissime homo in se vel in aliis emendare non valet, debet patienter sustinere, donec Deus aliter ordinet. which|very rarely|man|in|himself|or|in|others|to correct|not|he is able|he ought|patiently|to endure|until|God|otherwise|he arranges What a man can rarely correct in himself or in others, he must patiently endure, until God arranges otherwise. Cogita quod sic forte melius est pro tua probatione et patientia, sine qua non sunt multum ponderanda merita nostra. think|that|thus|perhaps|better|it is|for|your|trial|and|patience|without|which|not|they are|much|to be weighed|merits|our Consider that perhaps it is better for your testing and patience, without which our merits are not greatly weighed. Debes tamen pro talibus impedimentis supplicare, ut tibi dignetur Deus subvenire, ut possis benigne portare. you must|however|for|such|obstacles|to plead|that|to you|may deign|God|to help|that|you may be able|kindly|to bear You should, however, pray for such obstacles, so that God may deign to help you, so that you can bear kindly.

2\\. 2. Si quis semel vel bis admonitus non acquiescit, noli cum eo contendere, sed totum Deo committe, ut fiat voluntas sua, et honor in omnibus servis suis, qui scit bene, malum in bonum convertere. if|anyone|once|or|twice|having been warned|not|he/she agrees|do not|with|him|to argue|but|all|to God|commit|that|may be done|will|his|and|honor|in|all|servants|his|who|knows|well|evil|into|good|to convert If someone, once or twice admonished, does not comply, do not contend with him, but commit everything to God, so that His will may be done, and honor in all His servants, who knows well how to turn evil into good. Stude patiens esse in tolerando aliorum defectus, et qualescumque infirmitates, quia et tu multa habes, quæ ab aliis oportet tolerari. strive|patient|to be|in|bearing|of others|shortcomings|and|whatever|infirmities|because|and|you|many|you have|which|by|others|it is necessary|to be tolerated Be patient in enduring the shortcomings of others, and whatever infirmities, because you also have many things that must be tolerated by others. Si non potes te talem facere qualem vis, quomodo poteris alium habere ad beneplacitum tuum? if|not|you can|yourself|such|to make|what|you want|how|you will be able|another|to have|for|pleasure|your If you cannot make yourself the way you want, how will you be able to have another to your liking? Libenter videmus alios perfectos, sed tamen proprios non emendamus defectus. gladly|we see|others|perfect|but|nevertheless|our own|not|we correct|defects We gladly see others as perfect, but we do not correct our own flaws.

3\\. 3\. Volumus quod alii districte corrigantur, et nos ipsi corrigi nolumus, aut negari quod petimus. we want|that|others|strictly|they be corrected|and|we|ourselves|to be corrected|we do not want|or|to be denied|that|we ask We want others to be strictly corrected, and we ourselves do not want to be corrected, or deny what we ask for. Alios restringi per statuta volumus, et ipsi nullatenus patimur amplius cohiberi. others|to be restricted|through|statutes|we want|and|they themselves|by no means|we allow|further|to be restrained We wish to restrict others by statutes, and we do not allow ourselves to be restrained any longer. Sic ergo patet, quam raro proximum, sicut nos ipsos pensamus. thus|therefore|it is clear|how|rarely|next|as|we|ourselves|we weigh Thus it is clear how rarely the next one, as we weigh ourselves. Si omnes essent perfecti quid tunc haberemus ab aliis pro Deo pati? if|all|they were|perfect|what|then|we would have|from|others|for|God|to suffer If everyone were perfect, what then would we have to suffer from others for the sake of God?

4\\. 4\. Nunc autem Deus sic ordinavit, ut discamus alter alterius onera portare, quia nemo sine defectu, nemo sine onere, nemo sibi sufficiens, nemo sibi satis sapiens, sed oportet invicem portare, invicem consolari, pariter adjuvare, et ammonere. now|however|God|thus|he has ordained|that|we learn|another|of another|burdens|to bear|because|no one|without|defect|no one|without|burden|no one|to himself|sufficient|no one|to himself|enough|wise|but|it is necessary|mutually|to bear|mutually|to console|together|to help|and|to admonish But now God has arranged it so that we learn to bear one another's burdens, because no one is without defect, no one is without a burden, no one is sufficient for themselves, no one is wise enough for themselves, but we must bear one another, console one another, help one another, and admonish one another. Quantas autem virtutes quisque fecerit, melius patet occasione adversitatis. how many|however|virtues|each one|he has done|better|it is evident|in the occasion|of adversity However, how many virtues each person has shown is better revealed in the face of adversity. Occasiones namque hominem fragilem non faciunt, sed qualis sit, ostendunt. occasions|for|man|fragile|not|they make|but|what kind|he is|they show For adversities do not make a man fragile, but they reveal what he is like.

Cap. chapter Chapter. 17. 17. De monastica vita. about|monastic|life On monastic life.

1\\. 1. Oportet ut discas te ipsum in multis frangere, si vis pacem et concordiam cum aliis tenere. it is necessary|that|you learn|yourself|yourself|in|many|to break|if|you want|peace|and|harmony|with|others|to hold You must learn to break yourself in many ways if you wish to maintain peace and harmony with others. Non est parvum in monasteriis, vel in congregatione habitare, et in illis sine querela conversari, et usque ad mortem fidelis perseverare. not|is|small|in|monasteries|or|in|congregation|to live|and|in|them|without|complaint|to converse|and|until|to|death|faithful|to persevere It is not a small thing to live in monasteries, or in a congregation, and to converse in them without complaint, and to persevere faithfully until death. Beatus qui ibidem bene visit, et feliciter consummavit. blessed|who|there|well|visited|and|happily|completed Blessed is he who visits there well, and has completed happily. Si vis debite stare et proficere, teneas te tanquam exulem et peregrinum super terram. if|you want|properly|to stand|and|to progress|you should hold|yourself|as|exile|and|stranger|upon|earth If you wish to stand properly and make progress, you must consider yourself as an exile and a pilgrim on the earth. Oportet te stultum fieri propter Christum, si vis religiosam ducere vitam. it is necessary|you|foolish|to become|for|Christ|if|you want|religious|to lead|life You must become foolish for Christ's sake if you wish to lead a religious life.

2\\. 2\. Habitus et tonsura modicum faciunt, sed mutatio morum et integra mortificatio passionem verum faciunt religiosum. habits|and|hairstyle|little|they make|but|change|of character|and|complete|mortification|of passions|true|they make|religious Appearance and hairstyle make little difference, but a change of character and complete mortification of passion truly make one religious. Qui aliud quærit, quam pure Deum, et animæ suæ salutem, non inveniet nisi tribulationem et dolorem. he who|other|seeks|than|purely|God|and|of soul|his|salvation|not|he will find|except|tribulation|and|pain He who seeks anything other than God purely, and the salvation of his soul, will find nothing but tribulation and sorrow. Non potest etiam diu stare pacificus, qui non nititur esse minimus, et omnibus subjectus. not|he can|even|long|to stand|peaceful|he who|not|he strives|to be|least|and|all|subject He cannot remain peaceful for long, who does not strive to be the least and subject to all. Ad serviendum venisti, non ad regendum, ad paciendum et laborandum scias te vocatum, non ad otiandum, vel fabulandum. to|serve|you have come|not|to|rule|to|make peace|and|work|you know|yourself|called|not|to|be idle|or|tell stories You have come to serve, not to rule; you should know that you are called to bring peace and to work, not to be idle or to chatter. Hic ergo probantur homines sicut aurum in fornace. here|therefore|they are tested|men|like|gold|in|furnace Here, therefore, men are tested like gold in a furnace. Hic nemo potest stare nisi ex toto corde si voluerit propter Deum humiliare. here|no one|can|stand|unless|from|whole|heart|if|he/she will want|for|God|to humble Here, no one can stand unless they are willing to humble themselves completely for the sake of God.

Cap. chapter Chapter. 18. 18. De exemplo Sanctorum Patrum. of|example|Saints|Fathers On the example of the Holy Fathers.

1\\. 1. Intuere Sanctorum Patrum vivida exempla, in quibus vera perfectio fulsit, et videbis quam modicum sit, et vere nihil, quod nos agimus. behold|Saints|Fathers|vivid|examples|in|which|true|perfection|shone|and|you will see|how|little|it is|and|truly|nothing|that|we|we do Behold the vivid examples of the Holy Fathers, in which true perfection shone, and you will see how little it is, and truly nothing, that we do. Heu quid est vita nostra, si illis fuerit comparata. alas|what|is|life|our|if|to them|it will have been|compared Alas, what is our life, if it has been compared to theirs? Sancti et amici Christi Domino servierunt in fame et siti, in frigore et nuditate, in labore et fatigatine, in vigiliis et jejuniis, in orationibus et sanctis meditationibus, in persecutionibus et opprobriis multis. saints|and|friends|of Christ|to the Lord|they served|in|hunger|and|thirst|in|cold|and|nakedness|in|labor|and|fatigue|in|vigils|and|fasts|in|prayers|and|holy|meditations|in|persecutions|and|reproaches|many The saints and friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in labor and fatigue, in watchings and fastings, in prayers and holy meditations, in persecutions and many reproaches.

2\\. 2. O quam multas, et graves tribulationes passi sunt Apostoli, Martyres et Confessores, Virginies et reliqui omnes, qui Christi vestigia voluerunt sequi. oh|how|many|and|serious|tribulations|having suffered|they are|apostles|martyrs|and|confessors|virgins|and|the rest|all|who|of Christ|footsteps|they wanted|to follow Oh how many and grave tribulations the Apostles, Martyrs, and Confessors, Virgins, and all the others who wished to follow the footsteps of Christ have suffered. Nam animas suas in hoc mundo oderunt, ut in vitam æternam eas possiderent. for|souls|their|in|this|world|they hate|in order to|in|life|eternal|them|they might possess For they hate their souls in this world, so that they may possess them in eternal life. O quam strictam et abdicatam vitam sancti Patres in eremo duxerunt, quam longas, et graves tentationes pertulerunt: quam frequenter ab inimico vexati sunt, quam graves, et fervidas orationes Deo obtulerunt, quam rigidas abstinentias peregerunt, quam magnum zelum, et fervorem ad spiritualem profectum habuerunt, quam forte bellum adversus edomationem vitiorum gesserunt, quam puram, et rectam intentionem ad Deum tenuerunt, per diem laborabant, et noctibus orationi diutinæ vacabant: quamquam laborando ab oratione mentali minime cessarent. O|how|strict|and|renounced|life|holy|fathers|in|desert|they led|how|long|and|heavy|temptations|they endured|how|frequently|by|enemy|tormented|they were|how|serious|and|fervent|prayers|to God|they offered|how|rigorous|abstinences|they completed|how|great|zeal|and|fervor|for|spiritual|progress|they had|how|strong|war|against|destruction|of vices|they waged|how|pure|and|right|intention|to|God|they held|through|day|they worked|and|nights|prayer|prolonged|they were occupied|although|working|from|prayer|mental|not at all|they ceased O how strict and renounced a life the holy Fathers led in the desert, how long and severe temptations they endured: how often they were tormented by the enemy, how grave and fervent prayers they offered to God, how rigorous abstinences they completed, how great zeal and fervor they had for spiritual progress, how fiercely they waged war against the subjugation of vices, how pure and right their intention towards God was, they labored by day, and at night they devoted themselves to prolonged prayer: although in their labor they never ceased from mental prayer.

3\\. 3\. Omne tempus utiliter expendebant, omnis hora ad vacandum Deo brevis videbatur. every|time|usefully|they spent|every|hour|for|to be free|to God|short|it seemed They spent every moment usefully, every hour seemed too short to devote to God. Et præ magna dulcedine contemplationis, etiam oblivioni tradebatur necessitas corporalis refectionis. and|through|great|sweetness|of contemplation|also|to oblivion|it was being handed over|necessity|bodily|of refreshment And due to the great sweetness of contemplation, the necessity of bodily refreshment was also surrendered to oblivion. Omnibus divitiis, dignitatibus, honoribus, amicis et cognatis renuntiabant. to all|riches|dignities|honors|friends|and|relatives|they were renouncing They renounced all wealth, dignities, honors, friends, and relatives. Nihil de mundo habere cupiebant: vix necessaria vitæ sumebant, corpori servire etiam in necessitate dolebant. nothing|of|the world|to have|they were desiring|scarcely|necessities|of life|they were taking|to the body|to serve|even|in|necessity|they were grieving They wished to have nothing from the world: they scarcely took what was necessary for life, and even in necessity they grieved to serve the body. Pauperes igitur erant rebus terrenis, sed divites valde in gratia, et virtutibus. poor|therefore|they were|things|earthly|but|rich|very|in|grace|and|virtues Therefore, they were poor in earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtues. Foris egebant, sed intus gratia, et consolatione divina reficiebantur. outside|they were lacking|but|inside|grace|and|consolation|divine|they were being restored They were lacking outside, but inside they were refreshed by grace and divine consolation.

4\\. 4\. Mundo erant alieni, sed Deo proximi, ac familiares amici. the world|they were|strangers|but|to God|near|and|family|friends They were strangers to the world, but close to God, and familiar friends. Sibi ipsis videbantur tanquam nihili, et huic mundo dispecti, sed erant in oculis Dei prætiosi, et delecti. to themselves|themselves|they seemed|as|nothing|and|to this|world|despised|but|they were|in|eyes|of God|precious|and|chosen They seemed to themselves as nothing, and were disregarded by this world, but they were precious and chosen in the eyes of God. In vera humilitate stabant, in simplici obedientia vivebant, in charitate et patientia ambulabant, et ideo quotidie proficiebant, et magnam apud Deum obtinebant gratiam. in|true|humility|they stood|in|simple|obedience|they lived|in|love|and|patience|they walked|and|therefore|daily|they were advancing|and|great|with|God|they were obtaining|grace In true humility they stood, in simple obedience they lived, they walked in love and patience, and therefore they progressed daily and obtained great grace with God. Dati sunt in exemplum omnibus Religiosis et plus provocare nos debent ad bene proficiendum, quam tepidorum numerus ad relaxandum. given|they are|in|example|all|Religious|and|more|to provoke|us|they ought|to|well|advancing|than|lukewarm|number|to|relaxing They are given as an example to all Religious and should provoke us more to make good progress than the number of the lukewarm to relax.

5\\. 5\. O, quantus fervor omnium Religiosorum in principio suæ sanctæ institutionis fuit; o, quanta devotio orationis, quanta æmulatio virtutis, quam magna disciplina viguit, quanta reverentia et obedientia sub regula in omnibus floruit. O|how great|fervor|of all|Religious|in|beginning|of their|holy|institution|it was|O|how great|devotion|of prayer|how great|emulation|of virtue|how|great|discipline|it thrived|how great|reverence|and|obedience|under|rule|in|all|it flourished O, how great was the fervor of all Religious at the beginning of their holy institution; O, how much devotion in prayer, how much emulation of virtue, how great was the discipline that thrived, how much reverence and obedience flourished under the rule. Testantur adhuc vestigia derelicta, quod vere viri sancti et perfecti fuerunt, qui tam strenue militantes, mundum suppeditaverunt. they testify|still|traces|abandoned|that|truly|men|holy|and|perfect|they were|who|so|vigorously|fighting|the world|they supplied The abandoned traces still testify that truly they were holy and perfect men, who so vigorously fought, provided for the world. Jam magnus utique putatur, si quis transgressor non fuerit, si quis quod accepit cum patientia tolerare potuerit. now|great|certainly|it is thought|if|anyone|transgressor|not|he has been|if|anyone|that|he received|with|patience|to endure|he has been able Now certainly he is considered great, if anyone has not been a transgressor, if anyone has been able to endure what he has received with patience.

6\\. 6\. O, tepor et negligentia status nostri, quod tam cito declinamus a pristino fervore et jam tædet vivere præ lassitudine et tepore. O|warmth|and|negligence|state|our|that|so|quickly|we decline|from|former|fervor|and|now|it wearies|to live|through|weariness|and|warmth O, the warmth and negligence of our state, that we so quickly decline from our former fervor and are now weary of living due to exhaustion and lukewarmness. Utinam in te penitus non dormiret profectus virtutum, qui multa sæpius exempla vidisti devotorum. I wish|in|you|thoroughly|not|he would sleep|having progressed|of virtues|who|many|more often|examples|you have seen|of the devoted I wish that the progress of virtues would not sleep deeply in you, who have often seen many examples of the devoted.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 19. 19. De exercitiis boni Religiosi. on|exercises|good|Religious On the exercises of a good Religious.

1\\. 1\. Vita boni Religiosi omnibus virtutibus pollere debet, ut sit talis interius qualis ab hominibus videtur exterius. life|of a good|religious|all|virtues|to be strong|must|that|it be|such|inwardly|as|by|men|it seems|outwardly The life of a good religious person should be filled with all virtues, so that they are as they appear to others on the outside. Et multo plus debet esse intus, quam quod cernitur foris, quia inspector noster est Deus quem summopere revereri debemus ubicumque fuerimus, et tamquam Angeli in conspectu ejus mundi incedere. and|much|more|must|to be|inwardly|than|that|it is seen|outwardly|because|inspector|our|is|God|whom|most|to revere|we must|wherever|we have been|and|as|angels|in|sight|his|world|to walk And it should be much more within than what is seen outside, because our inspector is God, whom we must greatly revere wherever we are, and we should walk before Him as angels. Omni die renovare debemus propositum nostrum, et ad fervorem nos excitare, quasi hodie primum ad conversionem venissemus ac dicere: Adjuva me Deus in bono proposito et sancto fervitio tuo, et da mihi nunc hodie perfecte incipere, quia nihil est, quod hactenus feci. every|day|to renew|we must|intention|our|and|to|fervor|ourselves|to excite|as if|today|first|to|conversion|we had come|and|to say|help|me|God|in|good|intention|and|holy|fervor|your|and|give|me|now|today|perfectly|to begin|because|nothing|is|that|so far|I have done Every day we must renew our purpose and stir ourselves to fervor, as if we had come to conversion for the first time today and say: Help me, God, in my good purpose and holy fervor, and grant me to begin perfectly now today, for there is nothing that I have done up to this point.

2\\. 2\. Secundum propositum nostrum est cursus profectus nostri, et multa diligentia opus est bene proficere volenti. according to|proposal|our|is|course|progress|our|and|much|diligence|work|is|well|to progress|wanting According to our proposal, the course of our progress requires much diligence for one who wishes to advance well. Quod si fortiter proponens sæpe deficit, quid faciet ille qui raro aut minus fixe aliquid proponit? that|if|strongly|proposing|often|fails|what|will do|he|who|rarely|or|less|firmly|something|proposes But if one who proposes strongly often fails, what will he do who rarely or less firmly proposes something? Variis tamen modis contingit defertio propositi nostri. various|however|ways|it happens|deferral|of the proposal|our However, various ways lead to the deferral of our proposal. Et levis omissio exercitiorum vix sine aliquo dispendio transit. and|light|omission|of exercises|hardly|without|some|loss|it passes And a slight omission of exercises hardly passes without some loss. Justorum propositum in gratia potius Dei, quam in propria patientia pendet. of the just|purpose|in|grace|rather|of God|than|in|own|patience|it depends The purpose of the righteous depends more on the grace of God than on their own patience. In quo et semper confidunt quidquid arripiunt. in|which|and|always|they trust|whatever|they seize In this, they always trust whatever they undertake. Nam homo proponit, sed Deus disponit, nec est in homine via ejus. for|man|he proposes|but|God|he arranges|nor|it is|in|man|way|his For man proposes, but God disposes, and man's way is not in himself.

3\\. 3\. Si pietatis causa, aut fraternæ utilitatis proposito, quandoque consuetum omittitur exercitium, facile postea poterit recuperari. if|of piety|reason|or|of brotherly|utility|purpose|sometimes|customary|is omitted|exercise|easily|afterwards|will be able|to recover If for the sake of piety, or for the purpose of brotherly utility, the customary practice is sometimes omitted, it can easily be recovered later. Si autem tædio animi, vel negligentia faciliter relinquitur, satis culpabile est et nocivum sentitur. if|however|boredom|of the mind|or|negligence|easily|is left behind|enough|blameworthy|is|and|harmful|is felt However, if it is easily abandoned out of boredom or negligence, it is considered quite blameworthy and is felt to be harmful. Conemur quantum possumus, adhuc leviter deficiemus in multis. let us try|as much as|we can|still|slightly|we will fall short|in|many Let us strive as much as we can, yet we will still fall short in many things. Semper tamen aliquid certi proponendum est, et proponenda sunt illa præcipue quæ amplius nos impediunt. always|however|something|certain|to be proposed|it is|and|to be proposed|they are|those|especially|which|more|us|they hinder However, something certain must always be proposed, and especially those things which hinder us more. Exteriora nostra et interiora pariter nobis scrutanda sunt, et ordinanda, quia utraque expediunt ad proprium profectum. external|our|and|internal|equally|to us|to be examined|they are|and|to be arranged|because|both|they facilitate|for|own|progress Both our external and internal aspects must be examined and organized, because both contribute to our own progress.

4\\. 4. Si non continue te vales colligere, saltem interdum, et ad minus semel in die, mane videlicet aut vespere. if|not|continuously|yourself|you are able|to gather|at least|sometimes|and|at|least|once|in|day|morning|namely|or|evening If you cannot gather yourself continuously, at least do so from time to time, and at least once a day, either in the morning or in the evening. Mane propone, vespere discute mores tuos, qualis hodie fuisti in verbo, opere et cogitatione, quia in his forsan Deum sæpius offendisti ex proximum. in the morning|propose|in the evening|discuss|habits|your|such as|today|you were|in|word|deed|and|thought|because|in|these|perhaps|God|often|you offended|from|next In the morning, propose, in the evening, examine your morals, how you have been today in word, deed, and thought, because in these perhaps you have often offended God. Accinge te sicut vir fortis contra diabolicas nequitias, fræna gulam et omnem carnis inclinatinem facilius frænabis. gird yourself|yourself|as|man|strong|against|diabolical|wickednesses|reins|throat|and|every|flesh|inclination|more easily|you will restrain Gird yourself like a strong man against the devil's wickedness, you will more easily restrain your appetite and every inclination of the flesh. Numquam sis ex toto otiosus, sed aut legens, aut scribens, aut orans, aut meditans, aut aliquid utilitatis pro communi laborans. never|you be|from|all|idle|but|either|reading|or|writing|or|praying|or|meditating|or|something|useful|for|common|working Never be completely idle, but either reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or working on something useful for the common good. Corporalia tamen exercitia discrete sunt agenda, nec omnibus æqualiter assumenda. bodily|however|exercises|discreetly|they are|to be done|nor|all|equally|to be taken However, physical exercises should be done discreetly, and not taken up equally by all.

5\\. 5. Quæ communia non sunt, non sunt foris ostendenda, nam in secreto tutius exercentur privata. which|common|not|are|not|are|outside|to be shown|for|in|secret|safer|they are exercised|private What is not common should not be shown outside, for private matters are exercised more safely in secret. Cavendum tamen ne piger sis ad communia, et ad singularia promptior. it must be taken care|however|that not|lazy|you are|to|common|and|to|singular|more ready However, take care not to be lazy about common matters, and to be more ready for singular ones. Sed expletis integre et fideliter debitis, et injunctis, si jam ultra tempus vacat, redde te tibi, prout tua devotio desiderat. but|having fulfilled|completely|and|faithfully|debts|and|obligations|if|already|beyond|time|it is free|give back|yourself|to yourself|as|your|devotion|desires But after fulfilling your debts completely and faithfully, and the duties imposed, if there is still time left, return to yourself, as your devotion desires. Non possunt omnes habere exercitium unum, sed aliud isti, aliud illi magis deservit, et pro temporis congruentia diversa placent exercitia, quia alia in festis, alia in feriatis magis sapiunt diebus, aliis indigemus tempore tentationis, et aliis tempore pacis et quietis. not|they can|all|to have|exercise|one|but|another|these|another|those|more|it serves|and|for|time|congruence|different|they please|exercises|because|other|in|festivals|other|in|holidays|more|they taste|days|other|we need|time|of temptation|and|other|time|of peace|and|of quietness Not everyone can have the same exercise, but one suits some, another suits others more, and different exercises are pleasing according to the appropriateness of the time, because some are more fitting on feast days, others on holidays, some we need in times of temptation, and others in times of peace and quiet. Alia, cum tristamur, libet cogitare, et alia, cum læti in Domino fuerimus. other|when|we are sad|it is pleasing|to think|and|other|when|happy|in|the Lord|we will have been Some, when we are sad, we like to think about, and others, when we are joyful in the Lord.

6\\. 6. Circa principalia festa renovanda sunt bona exercitia, et Sanctorum suffragia ferventius imploranda. around|principal|feasts|to be renewed|they are|good|exercises|and|of the saints|intercessions|more fervently|to be implored Around the principal feasts, good exercises must be renewed, and the intercession of the saints must be fervently implored. De festo in festum proponere debemus quasi tunc de sæculo migraturi, et ad æternum festum perventuri. from|feast|in|feast|to propose|we must|as if|then|from|age|about to migrate|and|to|eternal|feast|about to arrive We must propose from feast to feast as if we are about to depart from this world, and will reach the eternal feast. Ideoque sollicite nos præparare debemus in devotis temporibus, et devotius conversari, atque omnem observantiam strictius custodire, tanquam in brevi laboris nostri præmium a Deo percepturi. therefore|diligently|ourselves|to prepare|we must|in|devout|times|and|more devoutly|to converse|and|all|observance|more strictly|to keep|as if|in|short|labor|our|reward|from|God|about to receive Therefore, we must prepare ourselves diligently in devout times, and engage more devoutly, and keep all observance more strictly, as if we are about to receive from God the reward of our labor shortly.

7\\. 7. Et si dilatum fuerit, credamus nos minus bene paratos, atque indignos tantæ gloriæ, quæ revelabitur in nobis tempore præfinito et studeamus nos melius ad exitum præparare. and|if|delayed|it has been|let us believe|ourselves|less|well|prepared|and|unworthy|of such|glory|which|will be revealed|in|us|time|appointed|and|let us strive|ourselves|better|to|outcome|to prepare And if it has been delayed, let us believe that we are less well prepared, and unworthy of such glory, which will be revealed in us at the appointed time, and let us strive to prepare ourselves better for the outcome. Beatus servus ait Evangelista Lucas, quem, cum venerit Dominus, invenerit vigilantem. blessed|servant|he says|evangelist|Luke|whom|when|he comes|Lord|he finds|watchful Blessed is that servant, says the Evangelist Luke, whom the Lord will find vigilant when he comes. Amen dico vobis, super omnia bona sua constituet eum. truly|I say|to you|above|all|goods|his|he will place|him Amen, I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.

Cap. chapter Chapter. 20. 20. De amore solitudinis et silentii. about|love|solitude|and|silence On the love of solitude and silence.

1\\. 1. Quære aptum tempus vacandi tibi, de beneficiis Dei frequenter cogita. seek|suitable|time|to be free|for you|about|benefits|of God|frequently|think Seek a suitable time to be free for yourself, frequently think about the benefits of God. Relinque curiosa, tales potius perlege materias, quæ compunctionem magis præstent quam occupationem. leave behind|curiosities|such|rather|read through|subjects|which|remorse|more|provide|than|distraction Leave aside curiosities, rather read those materials which provide more compunction than occupation. Si te subtraxeris a superfluis locutionibus et curiosis circuitionibus nec non a novitatibus et remoribus audiendis, invenies tempus sufficiens et aptum bonis meditationibus insistendis. if|you|you will have withdrawn|from|superfluous|words|and|curious|distractions|nor|not|from|novelties|and|delays|to be heard|you will find|time|sufficient|and|suitable|good|meditations|to be pursued If you withdraw from superfluous speech and curious distractions, as well as from novelties and delays in listening, you will find sufficient and suitable time to engage in good meditations. Maximi Sanctorum humana consortia ubi poterant vitabant et Deo in secreto vivere eligebant. the greatest|of the saints|human|associations|where|they could|they avoided|and|God|in|secret|to live|they chose The greatest of the Saints avoided human associations whenever they could and chose to live in secret with God.

2\\. 2. Dixit quidam: Quoties inter homines fui, minor homo redii. he said|a certain|whenever|among|men|I was|lesser|man|I returned A certain person said: Whenever I have been among men, I have returned a lesser man. Hoc sæpius experimur, quando diu confabulamur. this|more often|we experience|when|long|we converse We often experience this when we talk for a long time. Facilius est enim tacere quam in verbo non excedere. easier|it is|for|to be silent|than|in|word|not|to exceed It is easier to be silent than to not exceed in words. Facilius est domi latere quam foris se posse sufficienter custodire. easier|it is|at home|to hide|than|outside|oneself|to be able|sufficiently|to guard It is easier to hide at home than to be able to sufficiently guard oneself outside. Qui igitur intendit ad interiora et spiritualia pervenire, oportet eum cum Jesu a turba declinare. he who|therefore|he intends|to|inner things|and|spiritual things|to reach|it is necessary|him|with|Jesus|from|crowd|to withdraw Therefore, whoever intends to reach the inner and spiritual must withdraw with Jesus from the crowd. Nemo secure apparet nisi qui libenter latet. no one|certainly|appears|unless|who|willingly|hides No one appears secure unless they willingly hide. Nemo secure præcipit nisi qui obedire didicit. no one|certainly|commands|unless|who|to obey|learned No one is secure unless they have learned to obey. Nemo secure gaudet nisi qui testimonium bonæ conscienitæ habet. no one|certainly|rejoices|unless|who|testimony|good|conscience|has No one rejoices securely unless they have the testimony of a good conscience.

3\\. 3\. Semper tamen Sanctorum securitas plena timoris Dei extitit. always|however|of the saints|security|full|of fear|of God|it has existed Nevertheless, the security of the Saints has always been full of the fear of God. Nec eo minus solliciti et humiles in se fuerunt, quia magnis virtutibus et gratia emicuerunt. nor|that|less|anxious|and|humble|in|themselves|they were|because|great|virtues|and|grace|they shone forth Nor were they any less concerned and humble within themselves, because they shone with great virtues and grace. Pravorum autem securitas ex superbia et præsumptione oritur et in fine in desperationem sui vertitur. of the wicked|however|security|from|pride|and|presumption|it arises|and|in|end|into|despair|of themselves|it turns However, the security of the wicked arises from pride and presumption and ultimately turns into despair of themselves. Nunquam promittas tibi securitatem in hac vita, quamvis bonus videaris Coenobita, aut bonus Eremita. never|you promise|to yourself|security|in|this|life|although|good|you seem|monk|or|good|hermit Never promise yourself security in this life, no matter how good you may seem as a monk or a good hermit.

4\\. 4. Sæpe meliores in existimatione hominum magis periclitati sunt propter nimiam suam confidentiam. often|better|in|estimation|of men|more|having been endangered|they are|because of|excessive|their|confidence Often those who are better in the estimation of men are more endangered because of their excessive confidence. Unde multum utilius est, ut non penitus tentationibus careant, sed sæpius impugnentur ne nimium securi sint, ne forte in superbiam eleventur, ne etiam ad exteriores consolationes licentius declinent. hence|much|more useful|it is|that|not|entirely|temptations|they lack|but|more often|they are attacked|lest|too|secure|they are|lest|perhaps|into|pride|they are lifted|lest|also|to|external|consolations|more freely|they turn aside Therefore, it is much more useful that they do not completely lack temptations, but are often assailed so that they are not too secure, lest they be lifted up in pride, nor should they more freely decline to external consolations. O, qui nunquam transitoriam lætitiam quæreret, qui nunquam cum mundo se occuparet, quam bonam conscientiam servaret. O|who|never|fleeting|joy|he would seek|who|never|with|world|himself|he would occupy|how|good|conscience|he would keep Oh, if only one would never seek fleeting joy, if one would never occupy oneself with the world, how good a conscience one would keep. O, qui omnem vanam sollicitudinem amputaret, et duntaxat salutaria ac divina cogitaret, et totam spem suam in Domino constitueret, quam magnam pacem et quietem possideret. O|who|all|vain|anxiety|he would cut off|and|at least|salvific|and|divine|he would think|and|all|hope|his|in|Lord|he would place|how|great|peace|and|tranquility|he would possess Oh, who would cut off all vain anxiety, and would only think of what is beneficial and divine, and would place all his hope in the Lord, how great a peace and tranquility he would possess.

5\\. 5. Nemo dignus est cælesti consolatione, nisi diligenter se exercuerit in sancta compunctione. no one|worthy|is|heavenly|consolation|unless|diligently|himself|he has exercised|in|holy|compunction No one is worthy of heavenly consolation, unless he has diligently exercised himself in holy compunction. Si vis corde tenus compungi, intra cubiculum tuum, et exclude tumultus mundi. if|you want|heart|to|be pierced|within|room|your|and|exclude|tumult|of the world If you wish to be deeply moved in your heart, go into your room, and exclude the tumult of the world. Sicut scriptum est, In cubilibus vestris compungimini. as|written|it is|in|beds|your|be pricked As it is written, In your beds be pricked. In cella invenies, quod de foris sæpius amittes. in|cell|you will find|that|from|outside|often|you will lose In the cell you will find what you will often lose from outside. Cella continuata dulcescit et male custodita tædium generat. cell|continued|it becomes sweet|and|badly|guarded|boredom|it generates A well-kept cell becomes sweet and a poorly kept one generates boredom. Si in principio conversationis tuæ bene eam incolueris, et custodieris, erit postea tibi amica dilecta, et gratissimum solatium. if|in|beginning|conversation|your|well|her|you will inhabit|and|you will guard|it will be|afterwards|to you|friend|beloved|and|most pleasant|solace If at the beginning of your conversation you inhabit it well and keep it, it will later be a beloved friend to you, and a most welcome comfort.

6\\. 6. In silentio et quiete proficit anima devota, et discit abscondita Scripturarum. in|silence|and|quietness|advances|soul|devoted|and|learns|hidden|of the Scriptures In silence and quiet, the devoted soul progresses and learns the hidden things of the Scriptures. Ibi invenit fluenta lacrymarum, quibus singulis noctibus se lavet et mundet, ut Conditori suo tanto familiarior fiat, quanto longius ab omni sæculari tumultu degit. there|finds|streams|of tears|with which|each|night|himself|washes|and|cleanses|so that|to his Creator|his|so much|more familiar|may become|as|further|from|all|secular|turmoil|he lives There it finds streams of tears, with which it washes and cleanses itself each night, so that it may become more familiar with its Creator, the further it lives away from all worldly turmoil. Qui ergo se substrahit a notis et amicis, approximabit illi Deus cum Angelis sanctis. he who|therefore|himself|withdraws|from|acquaintances|and|friends|he will draw near|to him|God|with|Angels|holy Therefore, whoever withdraws from acquaintances and friends will draw near to God with the holy Angels. Melius est latere et sui curam agere, quam se neglecto signa facere. better|it is|to hide|and|of oneself|care|to take|than|oneself|neglected|signs|to make It is better to hide and take care of oneself than to make signs while being neglected. Laudabile est homini religioso raro foras ire, fugere videri et nolle homines videre. praiseworthy|it is|for a man|religious|rarely|outside|to go|to flee|to seem|and|to not want|people|to see It is commendable for a religious man to rarely go outside, to seem to flee, and to not want to see people.

7\\. 7\. Quid vis videre, quod non licet habere? what|you want|to see|that|not|it is allowed|to have What do you want to see that is not allowed to be had? Transit mundus, et concupiscentia ejus. he/she/it passes|the world|and|desire|of it The world passes away, and the desires thereof. Trahunt desideria sensualitatis ad spatiandum. they drag|desires|of sensuality|to|to wander The desires of sensuality lead to wandering. Sed cum hora transierit, quid nisi gravitatem conscientiæ, et cordis dispersionem portat? but|when|hour|it has passed|what|except|gravity|of conscience|and|of heart|dispersion|it carries But when the hour has passed, what does it bring but the heaviness of conscience and the scattering of the heart? Lætus exitus tristem sæpe reditum parit et læta vigilia serotina triste mane facit. happy|outcome|sad|often|return|it produces|and|happy|wakefulness|late|sad|morning|it makes A joyful exit often brings a sad return, and a joyful late vigil makes for a sad morning. Sic omne carnale gaudium blande intrat, sed in fine mordet et perimit. thus|every|carnal|joy|pleasantly|it enters|but|in|end|it bites|and|it destroys Thus every carnal joy enters sweetly, but in the end it bites and destroys.

8\\. 8\. Quid potes videre alicubi, quod die potest sub solem permanere. what|you can|to see|anywhere|that|day|it can|under|sun|to remain What can you see anywhere that can remain under the sun for a day? Credis te forsitan satiari, sed non poteris pertingere. you believe|yourself|perhaps|to be satisfied|but|not|you will be able|to reach You may believe that you can be satisfied, but you will not be able to reach it. Si cuncta videres præsentia, quid esset, nisi visio vana? if|all|you saw|present things|what|it would be|unless|vision|vain If you saw all things present, what would it be, except a vain vision? Leva oculos tuos ad Deum in excelsis, et ora pro peccatis tuis, et negligentiis. lift|your eyes|to God|to|God|in|the heights|and|pray|for|sins|your|and|neglects Lift your eyes to God in the heights, and pray for your sins and neglects. Dimitte vana vanis, tu autem intende illis, quæ tibi præcepit Deus. leave|vain things|to the vain|you|but|pay attention|to them|which|to you|commanded|God Leave the vain to the vain, but you should focus on those things which God has commanded you. Claude super te ostium tuum, et voca ad te Jesum dilectum tuum. close|over|yourself|door|your|and|call|to|you|Jesus|beloved|your Close your door upon yourself, and call to you your beloved Jesus. Mane cum eo in cella, quia non invenies alibi tantam pacem. stay|with|him|in|cell|because|not|you will find|elsewhere|such|peace Stay with him in the cell, for you will not find such peace elsewhere. Si non exisses nec quidquam de rumoribus audisses, melius in bona pace permansisses. if|not|you had gone out|and not|anything|about|rumors|you had heard|better|in|good|peace|you would have remained If you had not left nor heard anything of the rumors, you would have remained better in good peace. Ex quo nova delectaris aliquando audire, oportet te exinde turbationem cordis tolerare. from|which|new|you are delighted|sometimes|to hear|it is necessary|you|from that|disturbance|of the heart|to endure Since you are sometimes delighted to hear new things, you must therefore endure the disturbance of the heart.