De Imitatione Christi: Liber Primus 21-25 of|imitation|Christ|book|first Über die Nachfolge Christi: Das erste Buch 21-25 De la Imitación de Cristo: Libro Primero 21-25 De l'Imitation de Christ: Le Premier Livre 21-25 Sull'imitazione di Cristo: il primo libro 21-25 O naśladowaniu Chrystusa: Księga pierwsza 21-25 Sobre a Imitação de Cristo: O Primeiro Livro 21-25 On the Imitation of Christ: Book One 21-25

Cap. chapter Chapter. 21. 21. De compunctione cordis. of|compunction|heart On the compunction of the heart.

1\\. 1. Si vis aliquid proficere, conserva te in timore Dei et noli esse nimis liber. if|you want|something|to profit|keep|yourself|in|fear|of God|and|do not|to be|too|free If you wish to make any progress, keep yourself in the fear of God and do not be too free. Sed sub disciplina cohibe omnes sensus tuos, nec ineptæ te tradas lætitiæ, da te ad cordis compunctionem, et invenies devotionem; compunctio multa bona aperit, quæ dissolutio cito perdere consuevit. but|under|discipline|restrain|all|senses|your|nor|foolish|yourself|you give|to joy|give|yourself|to|of the heart|compunction|and|you will find|devotion|compunction|many|good things|it opens|which|dissolution|quickly|to lose|it has been accustomed But under discipline restrain all your senses, and do not give yourself over to foolish joy; devote yourself to the compunction of the heart, and you will find devotion; compunction opens many good things, which indulgence is accustomed to quickly lose. Mirum est, quod homo possit unquam perfecte lætari in hac vita, qui suum exilium, et tam multa pericula animæ suæ considerat, et pensat. strange|it is|that|man|he can|ever|perfectly|to rejoice|in|this|life|who|his|exile|and|so|many|dangers|of the soul|his|he considers|and|he weighs It is remarkable that a man can ever be perfectly joyful in this life, who considers his exile and so many dangers to his soul.

2\\. 2\. Propter levitatem cordis et negligentiam defectuum nosrorum non senstimus animæ nostræ dolores, sed sæpe vane reddimus verba, quandomerito flere deberemus. because of|lightness|of the heart|and|negligence|of defects|of our|not|we felt|of the soul|our|pains|but|often|vainly|we give back|words|whenever|to weep|we ought to Because of the lightness of heart and negligence of our shortcomings, we do not feel the pains of our soul, but often we vainly give words, when we ought to weep. Non est vera libertas, nec bona conscientia, nisi in timore Dei. not|is|true|freedom|nor|good|conscience|unless|in|fear|of God There is no true freedom, nor good conscience, except in the fear of God. Felix qui abjicere potest omne impedimentum distractionis, et ad unionem se redigere sanctæ compunctionis. happy|who|to cast off|he is able|every|hindrance|of distraction|and|to|union|himself|to bring back|holy|of compunction Blessed is he who can cast off every hindrance of distraction, and bring himself back to the union of holy compunction. Felix qui a se abdicat quidquid suam conscientiam maculare potest, vel gravare. happy|he who|from|himself|he abdicates|whatever|his|conscience|to stain|he can|or|to burden Happy is he who renounces anything that can stain or burden his conscience. Certa viriliter. be certain|bravely Be certain bravely. Consuetudo consuetudine vincitur. habit|habit|is conquered Habit is conquered by habit. Si tu scis homies dimittere, ipsi bene dimittent te, tua facta facere. if|you|you know|friends|to let go|they|well|they will let|you|your|actions|to do If you know how to let go of friends, they will let you go well, to do your deeds.

3\\. 3. Non attrahas tibi res aliorum, nec te implices causis majorum. not|you attract|to yourself|things|of others|nor|yourself|you involve|causes|of the elders Do not take the things of others for yourself, nor entangle yourself in the affairs of the greater. Habeas semper oculum super te primum, et admoneas te ipsum specialiter, præ omnibus tibi dilectis. you may have|always|eye|over|you|first|and|you may remind|yourself|yourself|especially|before|all|to you|beloved Always keep an eye on yourself first, and remind yourself especially, above all those you love. Si non habes favorem hominum noli exinde tristari, sed hoc tibi sit grave quia non habes te satis bene et circumspecte, sicut deceret servum Dei et devotum Religiosum conversari. if|not|you have|favor|of men|do not|from that|to be sad|but|this|to you|may be|serious|because|not|you have|yourself|enough|well|and|carefully|as|it would be fitting|servant|of God|and|devoted|Religious|to converse If you do not have the favor of men, do not be saddened by this, but let it be serious for you because you do not conduct yourself well and carefully enough, as befits a servant of God and a devoted Religious. Utilius est sæpe et securius, quod homo non habeat multas consolationes in hac vita secudum carnem, præcipue tamen, quod divinas non habemus, aut rarius sentimus nos devotos; in culpa sumus, quia compunctionem non quærimus cordis, ac vanas et extrinsecas non abjicimus. more useful|it is|often|and|more secure|that|man|not|he has|many|consolations|in|this|life|according to|flesh|especially|however|that|divine|not|we have|or|more rarely|we feel|ourselves|devoted|in|fault|we are|because|compunction|not|we seek|of the heart|and|vain|and|external|not|we reject It is often more useful and safer for a man not to have many consolations in this life according to the flesh, especially since we do not have divine ones, or we feel them rarely; we are at fault because we do not seek the compunction of the heart, and we do not reject vain and external things.

4\\. 4. Cognosce te indignum divina consolatione, sed magis dignum multa tribulatione. recognize|yourself|unworthy|divine|consolation|but|more|worthy|many|tribulation Recognize yourself as unworthy of divine consolation, but more worthy of much tribulation. Quando homo perfecte est compunctus, tunc gravis et amarus est ei totus mundus. when|man|perfectly|he is|pierced|then|heavy|and|bitter|it is|to him|whole|world When a man is perfectly contrite, then the whole world is heavy and bitter to him. Bonus homo sufficientem invenit materiam dolendi et flendi: sive enim considerat se, sive de proximo pensat; scit quia nemo sine tribulatione hic vivit; et quanto strictius sese considerat, tanto amplius dolet. good|man|sufficient|he finds|material|for grieving|and|for weeping|whether|for|he considers|himself|whether|about|near|he thinks|he knows|that|no one|without|tribulation|here|he lives|and|the more|strictly|himself|he considers|the more|more|he grieves A good man finds enough material for sorrow and weeping: whether he considers himself or thinks about others; he knows that no one lives here without tribulation; and the more closely he examines himself, the more he suffers. Materiæ justi doloris, et internæ compunctionis sunt peccata, et vitia nostra, quibus ita involuti jacemus, ut raro cælistia contemplari valeamus. the materials|of just|of pain|and|internal|of remorse|they are|sins|and|vices|our|by which|so|entangled|we lie|that|rarely|heavenly|to contemplate|we are able The material of just pain and internal compunction is our sins and vices, by which we are so entangled that we can rarely contemplate heavenly things.

5\\. 5\. Si frequentius de morte tua, quam de longitudine vitæ tua cogitares, non dubium, quin ferventius te emendares. if|more frequently|about|death|your|than|about|length|of life|your|you would think|not|doubt|that|more fervently|you|you would correct If you thought more frequently about your death than about the length of your life, there is no doubt that you would strive to improve yourself more fervently. Si etiam futuras Inferni, sivi Pergatorii, poenas cordialiter perpenderes, credo quod libenter dolorem et laborem sustineres, et nihil rigoris formidares. if|also|future|of Hell|or|of Purgatory|punishments|willingly|you would weigh|I believe|that|gladly|pain|and|labor|you would endure|and|nothing|of harshness|you would fear If you were to seriously consider the future pains of Hell, or of Purgatory, I believe you would willingly endure pain and labor, and fear nothing harsh. Sed quia ista ad cor non transeunt, et blandimenta adhuc amamus, ideo frigidi et valde pigri remanemus. but|because|these things|to|heart|not|they pass|and|pleasures|still|we love|therefore|cold|and|very|lazy|we remain But because these things do not penetrate to the heart, and we still love comforts, therefore we remain cold and very lazy. Sæpe est inopia spiritus unde tam leviter conqueritur corpus miserum. often|it is|lack|of spirit|from where|so|lightly|it complains|body|miserable Often there is a lack of spirit from which the wretched body complains so lightly. Ora igitur humiliter ad Dominum ut det tibi compunctionis spiritum; et dic cum Propheta, Ciba me Domine pane lacrymarum et potum da mihi in lacrymis in mensura. pray|therefore|humbly|to|the Lord|that|he may give|to you|of compunction|spirit|and|say|with|the Prophet|feed|me|Lord|with bread|of tears|and|drink|give|to me|in|tears|in|measure Therefore, pray humbly to the Lord that He may give you a spirit of compunction; and say with the Prophet, 'Feed me, O Lord, with the bread of tears, and give me to drink tears in measure.'

Cap. Chapter. 22. 22. De conditione humanæ miseriæ. of|condition|human|misery On the condition of human misery.

1\\. 1. Miser es ubicumque fueris, et quocumque te verteris, nisi ad Deum te convertas. miserable|you are|wherever|you will have been|and|wherever|you|you turn|unless|to|God|you|you convert You are miserable wherever you are, and wherever you turn, unless you turn to God. Quid turbaris quia non succedit tibi sicut vis et desideras? why|you are troubled|because|not|it succeeds|to you|as|you want|and|you desire Why are you troubled because things do not happen for you as you wish and desire? Quis est qui habeat omnia secundum suam voluntatem? who|is|who|may have|all things|according to|his|will Who is it that has everything according to their own will? Nec ego, nec tu, nec aliquis hominum super terram. nor|I|nor|you|nor|anyone|of men|on|earth Neither I, nor you, nor any man on earth. Nemo est in mundo sine aliqua tribulatione, vel angustia, quivis Rex, vel Papa. no one|is|in|world|without|any|tribulation|or|distress|any|king|or|pope No one is in the world without some trouble or distress, be they a King or a Pope. Quis est, qui melius habet? who|is|who|better|has Who is it that has it better? Utique qui pro Deo aliquid pati valet. certainly|who|for|God|something|to suffer|is able Surely, it is he who is able to suffer something for God.

2\\. 2. Dicunt multi imbecilles et infirmi, Ecce quam bonam vitam ille homo habet, quam dives et quam magnus, quam potens et excelsus. they say|many|weak|and|sick|behold|how|good|life|that|man|he has|how|rich|and|how|great|how|powerful|and|exalted Many weak and sickly people say, 'Look at what a good life that man has, how rich and how great, how powerful and exalted.' Sed attende ad cælestia bona, et videbis quod omnia ista temporalia nulla sunt, sed magis incerta, et valde gravantia, quia nunquam sine solicitudine, et timore possidentur. but|pay attention|to|heavenly|goods|and|you will see|that|all|those|temporary|none|they are|but|more|uncertain|and|very|burdensome|because|never|without|anxiety|and|fear|they are possessed But pay attention to heavenly goods, and you will see that all these temporary things are nothing, but rather uncertain and very burdensome, because they are never possessed without anxiety and fear. Non est hominis felicitas habere temporalia ad abundantiam, et sufficit ei mediocritas. not|it is|of man|happiness|to have|temporary|to|abundance|and|it is enough|for him|moderation A man's happiness is not to have temporal things in abundance, and mediocrity is sufficient for him. Vere miseria est vivere super terram. truly|misery|it is|to live|on|earth Truly, it is misery to live on the earth. Quanto homo voluerit esse spiritualior, tanto præfens vita sit ei amarior, quia sentit melius, videt clarius humanæ corruptionis affectus. the more|man|he will have wanted|to be|more spiritual|the more|present|life|it is|to him|more bitter|because|he feels|better|he sees|more clearly|human|corruption|affections The more a man wishes to be spiritual, the more this present life is bitter to him, because he feels better and sees more clearly the affections of human corruption. Nam comedere, bibere, vigilare, dormire, quiescere laborare et cæteris necessitatibus naturæ subjacere vere magna miseria est, et afflictio homini devoto, qui libenter esset absolutus et liber ab omni peccato. for|to eat|to drink|to stay awake|to sleep|to rest|to work|and|other|necessities|of nature|to be subject to|truly|great|misery|it is|and|affliction|to the man|devoted|who|willingly|he would be|absolved|and|free|from|all|sin For to eat, drink, watch, sleep, rest, work, and to be subject to the other necessities of nature is truly a great misery, and an affliction for the devoted man, who would gladly be free and liberated from all sin.

3\\. 3\. Valde enim gravatur interior homo necessitatibus ocrporalibus in hoc mundo. very|indeed|he is burdened|inner|man|necessities|bodily|in|this|world Indeed, the inner man is greatly burdened by bodily necessities in this world. Unde Propheta devote rogat quatenus ab istis liber esse valeat, dicens, De necessitatibus meis erue me, Domine. whence|the prophet|devoutly|he asks|in order that|from|those|free|to be|he may be able|saying|about|necessities|my|rescue|me|Lord Whence the Prophet devoutly prays that he may be freed from these, saying, "Deliver me, Lord, from my necessities." Sed væ non cognoscentibus suam miseriam et corruptibilem vitam. but|woe|not|to those who do not know|their|misery|and|corruptible|life But woe to those who do not recognize their misery and corruptible life. Nam in tantum quidam hanc amplectuntur, licet etiam vix necessaria laborando aut mendicando habeant, ut si possent hic semper vivere, de regno Dei nihil curarent. for|in|so much|certain|this|they embrace|although|even|scarcely|necessities|working|or|begging|they have|that|if|they could|here|always|to live|about|kingdom|of God|nothing|they would care For some embrace this to such an extent that, even if they can hardly have the necessities by working or begging, they would care nothing for the kingdom of God if they could live here forever.

4\\. 4. O insani, et infideles corde, qui tam profunde in terris jacent, ut nihil nisi carnalia sapiant. O|insane|and|unfaithful|in heart|who|so|deeply|in|lands|they lie|that|nothing|except|carnal|they taste O you insane and unfaithful at heart, who lie so deeply in the earth that you understand nothing but carnal things. Sed miseri adhuc in fine sentient graviter, quam vile, et nihilum erat, quod amaverunt. but|miserable|still|in|end|they will feel|severely|how|vile|and|nothing|it was|that|they loved But the wretched will still feel heavily at the end, how worthless and nothing it was, that they loved. Sancti autem Dei, et omnes devoti amici Christi non attenderunt, quæ carni placuerunt, nec quæ in hoc tempore floruerunt. saints|however|of God|and|all|devoted|friends|of Christ|not|they paid attention|which|to the flesh|they pleased|nor|which|in|this|time|they flourished But the saints of God, and all devoted friends of Christ did not pay attention to what pleased the flesh, nor to what flourished in this time. Sed tota spes eorum, et intentio ad ætena bona anhelabat. but|whole|hope|of them|and|intention|towards||goods|it longed But all their hope and intention longed for eternal goods. Ferebatur totum desiderium eorum ad mansura et invisibilia, ne amore visibilium traherentur ad infima. he was being carried|whole|desire|of them|towards|things that will remain|and|invisible things|lest|love|of visible things|they were being drawn|towards|lowest Their entire desire was directed towards the eternal and invisible, lest they be drawn by the love of visible things to the lower.

5\\. 5. Noli frater amittere confidentiam proficiendi ad spiritualia. do not|brother|to lose|confidence|to progress|towards|spiritual things Do not, brother, lose confidence in progressing towards spiritual matters. Adhuc enim habes tempus et horam, quare vis procrastinare propositum tuum? still|for|you have|time|and|hour|why|you want|to procrastinate|goal|your For you still have time and an hour, why do you wish to procrastinate your purpose? Surge, et in instanti incipe, et dic: Nunc est tempus faciendi, nunc tempus pugnandi est, nunc tempus aptum est emendandi. rise|and|in|instant|begin|and|say|now|is|time|to do|now|time|to fight|is|now|time|suitable|is|to correct Rise, and at once begin, and say: Now is the time to act, now is the time to fight, now is the time to make amends. Quando male habes et tribularis, tunc tempus promerendi. when|badly|you have|and|you are troubled|then|time|to earn When you are unwell and troubled, then is the time to earn. Oportet te transire per ignem et aquam, antequam venia ad refrigerium, nisi tibi vim feceris, vitium non superabis. it is necessary|you|to cross|through|fire|and|water|before|pardon|to|relief|unless|to you|force|you have done|fault|not|you will overcome You must pass through fire and water before you come to rest, unless you have done violence to yourself, you will not overcome the fault. Quamdiu istud fragile corpus gerimus, sine peccato esse non possumus nec sine tædio et dolore vivere. as long as|this|fragile|body|we bear|without|sin|to be|not|we can|nor|without|weariness|and|pain|to live As long as we bear this fragile body, we cannot be without sin nor live without weariness and pain. Libenter haberemus ab omni miseria quietem, sed quia per peccatum perdidimus innocentiam, amisimus etiam veram beatitudinem. gladly|we would have|from|all|misery|peace|but|because|through|sin|we lost|innocence|we lost|also|true|happiness We would gladly have peace from all misery, but because we lost innocence through sin, we also lost true happiness. Ideo oportet nos tenere patientiam, et Dei exspectare misericordiam, donec transeat iniquitas hæc, et mortalitas abforbeatur a vita. therefore|it is necessary|us|to hold|patience|and|God's|to wait for|mercy|until|it passes|iniquity|this|and|mortality|it is taken away|from|life Therefore, we must hold on to patience and await God's mercy, until this iniquity passes and mortality is taken away from life.

6\\. 6\. O quanta fragilitas humana, quæ semper prona est ad vitia. O|how great|fragility|human|which|always|prone|is|to|vices O how great is human fragility, which is always prone to vices. Hodie confiteris peccata tua, et cras iterum perpetras confessa. today|you confess|sins|your|and|tomorrow|again|you commit|having confessed Today you confess your sins, and tomorrow you commit them again. Nunc proponis cavere, et post horam ita agis, quasi nihil proposuisses. now|you propose|to beware|and|after|hour|thus|you act|as if|nothing|you had proposed Now you propose to be cautious, and after an hour you act as if you had proposed nothing. Merito ergo nosmetipsos humiliare possumus, nec unquam aliquid magni de nobis sentire, quia tam fragiles et instabiles sumus. deservedly|therefore|ourselves|to humble|we can|nor|ever|anything|great|about|us|to feel|because|so|fragile|and|unstable|we are Therefore, we can rightly humble ourselves, and never feel anything great about ourselves, because we are so fragile and unstable. Cito etiam potest perdi per negligentiam, quod multo labore vix tandem acquisitum est per gratiam. quickly|also|it can|to be lost|through|negligence|which|much|labor|hardly|finally|acquired|it is|through|grace What has been acquired with much effort can also quickly be lost through negligence.

7\\. 7. Quid fiet de nobis adhuc in fine, qui tepescimus tam mane. what|will happen|about|us|still|in|end|who|we are growing warm|so|early What will happen to us still in the end, who are growing lukewarm so early? Væ nobis si sic volumus declinare ad quietem, quasi jam pax sit et securitas, cum necdum appareat vestigium sanctitatis veræ in nostra conversatione. woe|to us|if|thus|we want|to decline|to|rest|as if|already|peace|it is|and|security|when|not yet|it appears|trace|of holiness|true|in|our|conduct Woe to us if we wish to decline to rest in this way, as if peace and security are already here, when not yet a trace of true holiness appears in our conduct. Bene opus esset quod adhuc institueremus, tanquam boni novitii, ad mores optimos, si forte spes esset de futurea emendatione, et majori spirituali profectu. well|work|it would be|that|still|we should establish|as|good|novices|to|morals|best|if|perhaps|hope|it would be|about|future|improvement|and|greater|spiritual|progress It would be good if we still established ourselves, like good novices, towards the best morals, if perhaps there were hope for future improvement and greater spiritual progress.

Cap. Chapter. 23. 23. De meditatione mortis. on|meditation|of death On the meditation of death.

1\\. 1. Valde cito erit tecum hoc factum: vide aliter quomodo te habeas. very|quickly|will be|with you|this|deed|see|otherwise|how|you|you have This will happen to you very quickly: see how you are otherwise. Hodie homo est, et cras non comparet. today|man|is|and|tomorrow|not|he will appear Today he is a man, and tomorrow he will not appear. Cum autem sublatus fuerit ab oculis, etiam cito transit a mente. when|however|having been taken away|he will have been|from|eyes|also|quickly|he passes|from|mind But when he has been taken from sight, he quickly passes from the mind. O hebetudo, et duritia cordis humani, quod solum præsentia meditatur, et futura non magis prævidet. oh|dullness|and|hardness|of heart|human|that|only|present|it meditates|and|future|not|more|it foresees O dullness, and hardness of the human heart, which only meditates on the present, and does not foresee the future any more. Sic te in omni facto et cogitatu deberes tenere, quasi statim esses moriturus. thus|you|in|every|deed|and|thought|you should|hold|as if|immediately|you were|about to die Thus you should hold yourself in every deed and thought, as if you were about to die immediately. Si bonam conscientiam haberes, non multum mortem timeres. if|good|conscience|you had|not|much|death|you feared If you had a good conscience, you would not fear death much. Melius esset peccata cavere quam mortem fugure. better|it would be|sins|to avoid|than|death|to flee It would be better to avoid sins than to flee from death. Si hodie non es paratus, quomodo cras eris? if|today|not|you are|prepared|how|tomorrow|you will be If you are not prepared today, how will you be tomorrow? Cras est dies incerta, et quid scis si crastinum habebis? Tomorrow is an uncertain day, and what do you know if you will have tomorrow?

2\\. 2. Quid prodest diu vivere, quando parum emendamur? What is the benefit of living long, when we improve so little? Ha, longa vita non semper emendat, sed sæpe culpam magis auget. Ah, a long life does not always improve us, but often increases our faults. Utinam per unam diem bene essemus conversati in hoc mundo. I wish|through|one|day|well|we were|having conversed|in|this|world I wish we had conversed well in this world for one day. Multi annos computant conversionis, sed sæpe parvus est fructus emendationis. many|years|they count|of conversion|but|often|small|is|fruit|of improvement Many count the years of conversion, but often the fruit of improvement is small. Si formidolosum est mori, forsitan periculosius erit vivere diu. if|fearful|it is|to die|perhaps|more dangerous|it will be|to live|long If it is frightening to die, perhaps it is more dangerous to live long. Beatus qui horam mortis suæ semper ante oculos habet, et ad moriendum quotidie se disponit. blessed|who|hour|of death|his|always|before|eyes|he has|and|for|to die|daily|himself|he prepares Blessed is he who always has the hour of his death before his eyes, and prepares himself to die every day. Si vidisti aliquem mori, cogita quia tu per eandem viam transibis. if|you have seen|someone|to die|think|because|you|through|the same|way|you will cross If you have seen someone die, think that you will pass through the same way.

3\\. 3\. Cum mane fuerit, puta te ad vesperum non perventurum. when|morning|it will have been|think|you|to|evening|not|you will arrive When it is morning, suppose that you will not reach evening. Vespere autem facto, mane non audeas tibi polliceri. evening|however|having been made|morning|not|you dare|to yourself|to promise However, when evening comes, do not dare to promise yourself the morning. Semper ergo paratus esto, et taliter vive, ut nunquam imparatum te mors inveniant. always|therefore|prepared|be|and|in such a way|live|that|never|unprepared|you|death|they find Therefore, always be prepared, and live in such a way that death does not find you unprepared. Multi subito improvisi moriuntur. many|suddenly|unprepared|they die Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. Nam hora, qua non putatur, Filius hominis veniet. for|hour|when|not|it is thought|Son|of man|he will come For the hour when it is not expected, the Son of Man will come. Quando hora illa extrema venerit, multum aliter sentire incipies de tota vita tua præterita et valde dolebis, quia tam negligens, et remissus fuisti. when|hour|that|last|it will have come|much|differently|to feel|you will begin|about|whole|life|your|past|and|very|you will grieve|because|so|negligent|and|lax|you have been When that final hour comes, you will begin to feel very differently about your entire past life and you will grieve greatly, because you have been so negligent and lax.

4\\. 4. Quam felix et prudens qui talis nunc nititur esse in vita, qualis optat inveniri in morte. how|happy|and|wise|who|such|now|he strives|to be|in|life|such as|he wishes|to be found|in|death How happy and wise is he who now strives to be in life as he wishes to be found in death. Dabit namque magnam fiduciam moriendi perfectus contemptus mundi, fervens desiderium in virtutibus proficiendi, amor disciplinæ, labor poenitentiæ, promptitudo, obedientiæ, abnegatio sui, et supportatio cujuslibet adversitatis pro amore Christi. he will give|for|great|confidence|of dying|perfect|contempt|of the world|burning|desire|in|virtues|of progressing|love|of discipline|labor|of repentance|readiness|of obedience|denial|of self|and|support|of any|adversity|for|love|of Christ For a perfect contempt of the world, a fervent desire to progress in virtues, love of discipline, the labor of repentance, readiness, obedience, self-denial, and the endurance of any adversity for the love of Christ will give great confidence in dying. Multa bona potes operari dum sanus es, sed infirmatus nescio quid poteris. many|good things|you can|to work|while|healthy|you are|but|weakened|I do not know|what|you will be able You can do many good things while you are healthy, but when you are weakened, I do not know what you will be able to do. Pauci ex infirmitate emendantur; sic et qui multum peregrinantur, raro sanctificantur. few|from|illness|they are cured|thus|and|those who|much|they wander|rarely|they are sanctified Few are healed from illness; likewise, those who travel a lot are rarely sanctified.

5\\. 5. Noli confidere super amicos et proximos, nec in futuris salutem tuam differas, quia citius obliviscentur tui homines, quam existimas. do not|trust|in|friends|and|relatives|nor|in|future|salvation|your|you delay|because|sooner|they will forget|of you|men|than|you think Do not trust in friends and relatives, nor delay your salvation for the future, because people will forget you sooner than you think. Melius est nunc tempestive providere et aliquid boni præmittere, quam super aliorum auxilio sperare. better|it is|now|timely|to provide|and|something|good|to send ahead|than|on|others'|help|to hope It is better to provide timely now and to send forth something good, than to hope for the help of others. Si non es pro te ipso sollicitus modo, quis erit sollicitus pro te in futuro. if|not|you are|for|you|yourself|anxious|just|who|will be|anxious|for|you|in|future If you are not concerned for yourself now, who will be concerned for you in the future. Nunc tempus est valde prætiosum, sed proh dolor, quod hoc inutilius expendis, in quo promereri vales, unde æternaliter vivas. now|time|is|very|precious|but|alas|pain|that|this|more useless|you spend|in|which|to earn|you are able|from which|eternally|you live Now is a very precious time, but alas, you waste it on things for which you could earn, from which you could live eternally. Veniet quando unam diem seu horam pro emendatione desiderabis, et nescio, an impetrabis. it will come|when|one|day|or|hour|for|correction|you will desire|and|I do not know|if|you will obtain There will come a time when you will desire one day or one hour for improvement, and I do not know if you will obtain it.

6\\. 6\. Eia, charissime, de quanto periculo te poteris liberare, de quam magno timore eripere, si modo semper timoratus fueris, et de morte suspectus! behold|dearest|about|how much|danger|you|you will be able|to free|from|how|great|fear|to rescue|if|only|always|fearful|you have been|and|from|death|suspected Oh, dearest, how much danger you can free yourself from, how much fear you can escape, if only you have always been fearful, and suspect of death! Stude nunc taliter vivere, ut in hora moris valeas potius gaudere, quam timere. strive|now|in such a way|to live|that|in|hour|of death|you may be able|rather|to rejoice|than|to fear Now strive to live in such a way that at the hour of death you may rather rejoice than fear. Disce nunc mori mundo, ut tunc incipias vivere cum Christo. learn|now|to die|to the world|that|then|you may begin|to live|with|Christ Learn now to die to the world, so that then you may begin to live with Christ. Disce nunc omnia contemnere, ut tunc possis libere ad Christum pergere. learn|now|all things|to despise|that|then|you may be able|freely|to|Christ|to proceed Learn now to despise all things, so that then you can freely go to Christ. Castiga nunc corpus tuum per poenitentiam, ut tunc valeas certam habere confidentiam. punish|now|body|your|through|repentance|so that|then|you may be able|certain|to have|confidence Discipline your body now through penance, so that then you may have certain confidence.

7\\. 7. Ha stulte, quid cogitas te diu victurum, cum nullum diem habeas securum? ah|foolish one|what|you think|you|long|about to live|when|no|day|you have|safe O foolish one, what do you think, that you will live for a long time, when you have no secure day? Quam multi decepti sunt et insperati de corpore extracti! how|many|deceived|they are|and|unexpected|from|body|pulled out How many have been deceived and unexpectedly taken from the body! Quoties audisti a dicentibus, quia ille gladio cecidit, ille submersus est, ille ab alto ruens cervicem fregit, ille manducando obriguit, ille ludendo finem fecit, alius igne, alius ferro, alius peste, alius latrocinio interiit: et sic omnium finis mors est, et vita hominum tanquam umbra cito pertransit. how many times|you heard|from|those speaking|because|that one|with a sword|he fell|that one|submerged|he is|that one|from|high|rushing|neck|he broke|that one|by eating|he grew numb|that one|by playing|end|he made|another|by fire|another|by iron|another|by plague|another|by robbery|he perished|and|thus|of all|end|death|is|and|life|of men|like|shadow|quickly|it passes through How often have you heard from those speaking, that one fell by the sword, another was drowned, another broke his neck falling from a height, another froze while eating, another met his end while playing, one perished by fire, another by iron, another by plague, another by robbery: and thus the end of all is death, and the life of men passes quickly like a shadow.

8\\. 8. Quis memorabitur tui post mortem, et qui orabit pro te? who|will remember|of you|after|death|and|who|will pray|for|you Who will remember you after death, and who will pray for you? Age, age nunc charissime quidquid pro te agere potes, quia nescis quando morieris. come on|come on|now|dearest|whatever|for|you|to do|you can|because|you do not know|when|you will die Come now, dear one, do whatever you can for yourself, for you do not know when you will die. Nescis etiam, quid tibi post mortem sequatur. you do not know|also|what|to you|after|death|it follows You do not know what will follow you after death. Dum tempus habes, congrega divitias immortales. while|time|you have|gather|riches|immortal While you have time, gather immortal riches. Præter salutem tuam nihil cogites. besides|health|your|nothing|you think Think of nothing but your salvation. Solum quæ Dei sunt, cures. only|those things|of God|are|you care Care only for those things that are of God. Fac nunc tibi amicos venerando Sanctos, et actus imitando, ut cum defeceris in hac vita, illi te recipiant in æterna tabernacula. make|now|for yourself|friends|by venerating|saints|and|actions|by imitating|so that|when|you have failed|in|this|life|they|you|may receive|in|eternal|dwellings Now make friends with the venerable Saints, and by imitating their deeds, so that when you have departed from this life, they may receive you into eternal dwellings.

9\\. 9. Serva te tanquam peregrinum et hospitem super terram, ad quem nihil spectat de mundi negociis. keep|yourself|as|a stranger|and|a guest|upon|the earth|to|whom|nothing|pertains|about|worldly|affairs Keep yourself as a stranger and a guest on earth, to whom nothing pertains of worldly affairs. Serva cor liberum, et ad Deum sursum erectum, quia non habes hic manentem civitatem. keep|heart|free|and|to|God|upward|raised|because|not|you have|here|permanent|city Keep your heart free, and raised up to God, for you do not have a lasting city here. Illuc gemitus et preces quotidianas cum lacrymis dirige, ut spiritus tuus mereatur post mortem ad Dominum feliciter transire. there|groans|and|prayers|daily|with|tears|direct|that|spirit|your|may deserve|after|death|to|Lord|happily|to pass Direct your groans and daily prayers with tears to that place, so that your spirit may deserve to pass happily to the Lord after death.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 24. 24. De judicio et poenis peccatorum. on|judgment|and|punishments|of sinners On the judgment and punishments of sinners.

1\\. 1. In omnibus rebus respice finem, et qualiter ante districtum judicem stabis, cui nihil est occultum, qui muneribus non placatur, nec escusationes recipit, sed quod justum est, judicabit. in|all|things|consider|end|and|how|before|strict|judge|you will stand|to whom|nothing|is|hidden|who|bribes|not|is pleased|nor|excuses|he receives|but|what|just|is|he will judge In all things, consider the end, and how you will stand before the strict judge, to whom nothing is hidden, who is not swayed by gifts, nor accepts excuses, but will judge what is just. O miserrime et insipiens, quid respondebis Deo, omniamala tua scienti, qui interdum times vultum hominis irati? O|most miserable|and|foolish|what|you will answer|to God|all evils|your|knowing|who|sometimes|you fear|face|of man|angry O wretched and foolish one, what will you answer to God, who knows all your evils, who at times fears the face of an angry man? Ut quid non prævides tibi in judicii die? why|what|not|you foresee|for you|in|judgment|day Why do you not foresee for yourself on the day of judgment? Quando nemo poterit per alium excusari vel defendi, sed unusquisque sufficiens onus suum portabit sisi ipsi. when|no one|will be able|through|another|to be excused|or|to be defended|but|each one|sufficient|burden|his own|will carry|to himself|to himself When no one will be able to excuse or defend themselves through another, each person will bear their own sufficient burden. Nunc labor tuus est fructuosus, fletus acceptabilies, gemitus exaudibilis, dolor satisfactorius et purgativus. now|work|your|is|fruitful|weeping|acceptable|groaning|heard|pain|satisfying|and|purging Now your labor is fruitful, your weeping is acceptable, your groaning is heard, your pain is satisfactory and purifying.

2\\. 2\. Habet magnum et salubre purgatorium homo patiens, qui suscipiens injurias, plus dolet de alterius malitia, quam de sua injuria, qui pro contrariantibus sibi libenter orat, et ex corde culpas indulget; qui veniam ab aliis petere non retardat, qui facilius miseretur quam irascitur, qui sibi ipsi violentiam frequenter facit, et carnem suam omnino spiritui subjugare conatur. he has|great|and|healthy|purgatory|man|patient|who|receiving|injuries|more|he hurts|about|another's|malice|than|about|his own|injury|who|for|those opposing|to himself|willingly|he prays|and|from|heart|faults|he forgives|who|forgiveness|from|others|to seek|not|he delays|who|more easily|he has mercy|than|he gets angry|who|to himself|to himself|violence|frequently|he does|and|flesh|his own|entirely|spirit|to subjugate|he tries A patient person has a great and healthy purgation, who, receiving injuries, feels more pain from another's malice than from their own injury, who willingly prays for those who oppose them, and from the heart forgives offenses; who does not delay to seek forgiveness from others, who is quicker to show mercy than to become angry, who often inflicts violence upon themselves, and strives to completely subjugate their flesh to the spirit. Melius est modo purgare peccata, et vitia resecare, quam in futuro purganda reservare. better|it is|now|to cleanse|sins|and|vices|to cut off|than|in|future|to be cleansed|to reserve It is better to cleanse sins in the present and to cut off vices than to reserve them for future cleansing. Vere nos ipsos decipimus per inordinatum amorem, quem ad carnem habemus. truly|ourselves|ourselves|we deceive|through|disordered|love|which|towards|flesh|we have Truly, we deceive ourselves through the disordered love we have for the flesh.

3\\. 3. Quid aliud ille ignis devorat, nisi peccata tua? what|else|that|fire|it devours|except|sins|your What else does that fire consume, except your sins? Quanto amplius nunc tibi ipsi parcis, et carnem sequeris, postea lues tanto durius, et majorem materiam comburendi reservas. the more|more|now|to you|yourself|you spare|and|flesh|you follow|afterwards|plague|so much|harder|and|greater|material|for burning|you reserve The more you now spare yourself and follow the flesh, the more severe the plague will be later, and you reserve a greater material for burning. In quibus homo peccavit, in illis gravius punietur. in|which|man|he sinned|in|those|more severely|he will be punished In those things in which man has sinned, he will be punished more severely. Ibi acidiosi ardentibus stimulis purgentur, et gulosi ingenti fame ac siti cruciabuntur. there|the gluttons|burning|spurs|they will be cleansed|and|the greedy|immense|hunger|and|thirst|they will be tormented There, the gluttons will be purged with burning stimuli, and the greedy will be tormented by immense hunger and thirst. Ibi luxuriosi et voluptatum amatores ardenti pice et foetido sulphure perfundentur. there|the lustful|and|of pleasures|lovers|burning|pitch|and|foul|sulfur|they will be drenched There, the luxurious and lovers of pleasures will be drenched in burning pitch and foul sulfur. Et sicut furiosi canes, præ dolore invidiosi ululabunt. and|as|furious|dogs|through|pain|envious|they will howl And like furious dogs, they will howl in pain, envious.

4\\. 4\. Nullum vitium erit, quod suum proprium cruciatum non habeat. no|fault|it will be|that|its|own|torment|not|it has There will be no vice that does not have its own particular torment. Ibi superbi omni confusione replebuntur, et avari miserrima egestate arctabuntur. there|proud|all|confusion|they will be filled|and|greedy|most miserable|poverty|they will be constrained There the proud will be filled with all confusion, and the greedy will be constrained by miserable poverty. Ibi erit una hora gravior in poena, quam hic centum anni in amarissima poenitentia. there|will be|one|hour|more serious|in|punishment|than|here|hundred|years|in|most bitter|repentance There, there will be one hour more severe in punishment than here a hundred years in bitter repentance. Ibi nulla requies, nulla consolatio damnatis. there|no|rest|no|consolation|to the damned There, there is no rest, no consolation for the damned. Hic tamen interdum cessatur a laboribus atque amicorum fruitur solatiis. here|however|sometimes|there is a cessation|from|labors|and|of friends|he enjoys|comforts Here, however, sometimes one rests from labors and enjoys the comforts of friends. Esto modo sollicitus, et dolens pro peccatis tuis, ut in die judicii sis securus propetenus cum beatis. be|only|anxious|and|grieving|for|sins|your|that|in|day|of judgment|you may be|secure|henceforth|with|the blessed Be anxious and sorrowful for your sins, so that on the day of judgment you may be secure henceforth with the blessed. Tunc enim justi stabunt in magna constantia adversus eos, qui se angustiaverunt et depresserunt. then|for|the just|they will stand|in|great|confidence|against|them|who|themselves|they have distressed|and|they have oppressed Then the righteous will stand with great confidence against those who have oppressed and depressed them. Tunc stabit ad judicandum qui modo se subjicit humiliter judiciis hominum. then|he will stand|to|judging|who|just|himself|he subjects|humbly|to the judgments|of men Then he will stand to judge who has humbly submitted himself to the judgments of men. Tunc magnam fiduciam pauper et humlis habebit, et pavebit undique superbus. then|great|confidence|the poor|and|the humble|he will have|and|he will fear|from all sides|the proud Then the poor and humble will have great confidence, and the proud will be terrified on all sides.

5\\. 5. Tunc videbitur sapiens in hoc mundo fuisse, qui pro Christo didicit stultus esse et despectus. then|he will be seen|wise man|in|this|world|to have been|who|for|Christ|he learned|foolish|to be|and|despised Then the wise man will be seen to have been in this world, who learned to be foolish and despised for Christ. Tunc placebit omnis tribulatio patienter perpessa et omnis iniquitas oppilabit os suum. then|it will please|all|tribulation|patiently|having endured|and|all|injustice|it will shut|mouth|its Then every tribulation patiently endured will be pleasing, and every injustice will shut its mouth. Tunc gaudebit omnis devotus et merebit omnis religiosus. then|he will rejoice|all|devoted|and|he will earn|all|religious Then every devout person will rejoice, and every religious person will be rewarded. Tunc plus exultabit caro afflicta, quam si semper in deliciis fuisset nutrita. then|more|he will exult|flesh|afflicted|than|if|always|in|delights|it had been|nourished Then the afflicted flesh will rejoice more than if it had always been nourished in delights. Tunc splendebit habitus vilis, et obtenebrescet vestis subtilis. then|it will shine|clothing|cheap|and|it will darken|garment|fine Then the humble attire will shine, and the fine garment will become dark. Tunc plus laudabitur pauperculum domicilium, quam deauratum palatium. then|more|it will be praised|poor|dwelling|than|gilded|palace Then the poor little home will be praised more than the gilded palace. Tunc plus juvabit constans pacientia, quam omnis mundi potentia. then|more|it will help|steadfast|patience|than|all|of the world|power Then steadfast patience will be more helpful than all the power of the world. Tunc amplius exaltabitur simplex obedientia, quam omnis sæcularis astutia. then|more|it will be exalted|simple|obedience|than|all|worldly|cunning Then simple obedience will be exalted more than all worldly cunning.

6\\. 6. Tunc plus lætificabit pura et simplex conscientia et bona quam docta philosophia. then|more|it will make happy|pure|and|simple|conscience|and|good|than|learned|philosophy Then a pure and simple conscience will bring more joy than learned philosophy. Tunc plus ponderabit contemptus divitiarum, quam totus thesaurus terrigenarum. then|more|it will weigh|contempt|of riches|than|whole|treasure|of mortals Then the contempt for wealth will weigh more than the entire treasure of the earth. Tunc magis consolaberis super devota oratione, quam super delicata comestione. then|more|you will be consoled|about|devoted|prayer|than|about|delicate|eating Then you will be more consoled by devoted prayer than by delicate eating. Tunc potius gaudebis de fervato silentio, quam de longa fabulatione. then|rather|you will rejoice|about|fervent|silence|than|about|long|storytelling Then you will rejoice more in fervent silence than in long storytelling. Tunc plus valebunt sancta sancta opera, quam multa pulchra verba. then|more|they will be worth|holy|holy|works|than|many|beautiful|words Then holy works will be worth more than many beautiful words. Tunc plus valebit stricta vita et ardus poenitntia, quam omnis delectatio terrena. then|more|it will be worth|strict|life|and|ardent|repentance|than|all|pleasure|earthly Then a strict life and ardent repentance will be worth more than all earthly delight. Disce nunc in modico pati, ut tunc a gravioribus valeas liberari. learn|now|in|little|to suffer|so that|then|from|heavier|you may be able|to be freed Learn now to endure in little things, so that then you may be able to be freed from heavier burdens. Hic primo proba quid possis pati postea. here|first|try|what|you can|to suffer|afterwards Here first test what you can endure afterwards. Si nunc tam parum non vales sustinere, quomodo poteris æterna tormenta sufferre? if|now|so|little|not|you are able|to endure|how|you will be able|eternal|torments|to suffer If you are now so weak that you cannot endure, how will you be able to suffer eternal torments? Si modo modica passio te tam impatientem efficit, tunc gehenna quid facietur? if|only|moderate|passion|you|so|impatient|it makes|then|hell|what|will happen If only a moderate suffering makes you so impatient, then what will hell do? Ecce vere non potes modo duo gaudia habere, delectari hic in mundo, es postea regnare cum Christo. behold|truly|not|you can|only|two|joys|to have|to be delighted|here|in|world|you are|afterwards|to reign|with|Christ Behold, you truly cannot have both joys at the same time, to delight here in the world, and then to reign with Christ afterwards.

7\\. 7. Si usque in hodiernum diem semper in honoribus et voluptatibus vixisses, quid totum tibi profuisset, si jam in instanti mori contingeret? if|until|in|today|day|always|in|honors|and|pleasures|you had lived|what|all|to you|it would have profited|if|now|in|moment|to die|it would happen If you had lived until today always in honors and pleasures, what would it have profited you, if you were to die at this very moment? Omnia ergo vanitas, præter amare Deum, et illi foli servire. all|therefore|vanity|except|to love|God|and|to Him|to serve| Therefore, all is vanity, except to love God, and to serve Him alone. Qui enim Deum ex toto corde amat, nec mortem, nec supplicium, nec judcium, nec infernum metuit, quia perfectus amor securum ad Deum accessum facit. he who|for|God|from|whole|heart|loves|nor|death|nor|punishment|nor|judgment|nor|hell|fears|because|perfect|love|secure|to|God|access|makes For he who loves God with all his heart fears neither death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love gives secure access to God. Quem adhuc peccare delectat, non mirum, si mortem, judicium timeat. whom|still|to sin|delights|not|surprising|if|death|judgment|fears He who still delights in sin, it is not surprising if he fears death and judgment. Bonum tamen est ut, si necdum amor a malo te revocat, saltem timor gehenæ te coerceat. good|however|it is|that|if|not yet|love|from|evil|you|calls back|at least|fear|of hell|you|restrains However, it is good that if love has not yet drawn you away from evil, at least the fear of hell may restrain you. Qui vero timorem Dei postponit, diu stare in bono non valebit, sed diaboli laqueos citius incurret. he who|truly|fear|of God|postpones|long|to remain|in|good|not|will be able|but|of the devil|snares|sooner|will fall into Indeed, he who puts aside the fear of God will not be able to stand long in good, but will sooner fall into the snares of the devil.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 25. 25. De ferventi emendatione totius vitæ. about|fervent|correction|of the whole|life On the fervent amendment of the whole life.

1\\. 1. Esto vigilans et diligens in Dei fervitio, et cogita frequenter ad quid venisti, et cur sæculum reliquisti. be|watchful|and|diligent|in|God's|fervor|and|think|frequently|to|what|you came|and|why|the world|you left Be vigilant and diligent in the fervor of God, and think often about why you have come and why you have left the world. Nonne ut Deo viveres, et spiritualis fieres? not|that|to God|you would live|and|spiritual|you would become Would you not live for God and become spiritual? Igitur ad profectum ferveas, quia mercedem laborum tuorum in brevi recipies. therefore|for|progress|you should be eager|because|reward|of labors|your|in|short time|you will receive Therefore, be fervent for progress, for you will soon receive the reward of your labors. Nec erit tunc amplius timor aut dolor in finibus tuis. nor|there will be|then|more|fear|or|pain|in|borders|your And then there will no longer be fear or pain in your borders. Modicum nunc laborabis, et magnam requiem, imo perpetuam lætitiam, invenies. a little|now|you will work|and|great|rest|indeed|everlasting|joy|you will find Now you will labor a little, and you will find great rest, indeed perpetual joy. Si tu permanseris fidelis et fervidus in agendo, Deus procul dubio erit fidelis, et locuples in retribuendo. if|you|you will have remained|faithful|and|fervent|in|acting|God|far|doubt|he will be|faithful|and|rich|in|rewarding If you remain faithful and fervent in action, God will undoubtedly be faithful and generous in rewarding. Spem bonam retinere debes, quod ad palmam pervenies, sed securitatem capere non oportet ne torpeas, aut elatus fias. hope|good|to retain|you must|that|to|prize|you will reach|but|security|to take|not|it is necessary|lest|you become sluggish|or|elated|you become You must maintain good hope that you will reach the prize, but you should not take security so that you do not become sluggish or become elated.

2\\. 2. Cum enim quidam anxius inter metum et spem frequenter fluctuaret, et quadam vice moerore confectus in ecclesia ante quoddam altare se in oratione prostravisset, hæc intra se resolvit dicens: O, si scirem, quod adhuc perserveratus essem; statimque audivit divinum intus responsum. when|indeed|a certain|anxious|between|fear|and|hope|frequently|he was wavering|and|a certain|time|sorrow|overcome|in|church|before|a certain|altar|himself|in|prayer|he had prostrated|these|within|himself|he resolved|saying|O|if|I knew|that|still|I would have persevered|I were|and immediately|he heard|divine|within|response For when a certain anxious person frequently fluctuated between fear and hope, and at one time, overcome by sorrow, had prostrated himself in prayer before a certain altar in the church, he resolved within himself saying: O, if I had known that I would have persevered; and immediately he heard a divine response within. Quid, si hoc scires, quid facere velles? what|if|this|you knew|what|to do|you would want What if you knew this, what would you want to do? Fac nunc quod facere velles, et bene securus eris. do|now|what|to do|you would want|and|well|safe|you will be Now do what you would want to do, and you will be well and secure. Moxque consolatus et confortatus divinæ se commisit voluntati, et cessavit anxia fluctuatio. and soon|having been consoled|and|having been strengthened|divine|himself|he committed|to the will|and|he ceased|anxious|fluctuation And soon, having been comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to the divine will, and ceased his anxious turmoil. Noluitque curiose se investigare, ut sciret quæ sibi essent futura, sed magis studuit inquirere quæ esset voluntas Dei beneplacens et perfecta ad omne opus inchoandum et perficiendum. and he did not want|curiously|himself|to investigate|so that|he would know|what|to himself|they would be|future|but|more|he strove|to inquire|what|it would be|will|of God|pleasing|and|perfect|for|every|work|to be begun|and|to be completed And he did not want to investigate himself curiously, to know what would happen to him, but rather he sought to inquire what the will of God was, pleasing and perfect for every work to be begun and completed.

3\\. 3. Spera in Domino et fac bonitatem, ait Propheta, et inhabita terram, et pasceris in divitiis ejus. hope|in|the Lord|and|do|good|says|the prophet|and|dwell|the land|and|you will be fed|in|riches|his Hope in the Lord and do good, says the Prophet, and dwell in the land, and you will be nourished by its riches. Unum est quod multos a profectu et ferventi emendatione retrahit: horror difficultatis seu labor certaminis. one|is|that|many|from|progress|and|fervent|improvement|it hinders|horror|of difficulty|or|labor|of struggle There is one thing that holds many back from progress and fervent improvement: the horror of difficulty or the labor of struggle. Illi maxime præ aliis in virtutibus proficiunt, qui ea quæ sibi magis gravia et contraria sunt vincere nituntur. they|especially|before|others|in|virtues|they progress|those who|those things|which|to themselves|more|burdensome|and|contrary|they are|to conquer|they strive Those who strive to overcome what is most burdensome and contrary to them excel in virtues more than others. Nam ibi homo plus proficit, et gratiam meretur ampliorem, ubi magis se ipsum vincit, et in spiritu mortificat. for|there|man|more|he progresses|and|grace|he earns|greater|where|more|himself|himself|he conquers|and|in|spirit|he mortifies For there a man progresses more and earns greater grace, where he conquers himself more and mortifies in spirit.

4\\. 4. Sed non omnes habent æque multum ad vincendum et moriendum. but|not|all|they have|equally|much|for|to conquer|and|to die But not all have equally much to overcome and to die. Diligens autem æmulator valentior erit ad proficiendum, etiamsi plures habeat passiones, quam alius bene morigeratus, minus tamen fervens ad virtutes. diligent|however|emulators|stronger|he will be|for|to progress|even if|more|he has|passions|than|another|well|obedient|less|however|fervent|for|virtues However, a diligent competitor will be stronger in progressing, even if he has more passions, than another well-behaved person, who is less fervent in virtues. Duo specialiter ad magnam emendationem juvant, videlicet subtrahere se violenter ad quod natura vitiose inclinatur, et ferventer instare pro bono, quo amplius quis indiget. two|especially|to|great|improvement|they help|namely|to withdraw|oneself|violently|to|that|nature|faulty|it is inclined|and|fervently|to insist|for|good|which|more|anyone|he/she needs Two things especially help towards great improvement, namely to violently withdraw oneself from what nature is inclined to in a faulty way, and to fervently strive for the good, which one needs all the more. Illa etiam magis studeas cavere et vincere quæ tibi in aliis frequentius displicent. that|also|more|you should strive|to avoid|and|to conquer|which|to you|in|others|more frequently|they displease You should also strive more to avoid and overcome those things that frequently displease you in others.

5\\. 5\. Ubique profectum tuum capies ut si bona exempla videas vel audias, de imitandis accendaris. everywhere|progress|your|you will take|so that|if|good|examples|you see|or|you hear|about|imitating|you will be inspired You will seize your progress everywhere if you see or hear good examples, you will be inspired to imitate them. Si quid autem reprehensibile confideraveris, cave ne idem facias, aut si aliquando fecisti, citius emendare te studeas. if|anything|however|blameworthy|you will have trusted|beware|that not|the same|you do|or|if|ever|you have done|sooner|to correct|yourself|you strive But if you have relied on something blameworthy, be careful not to do the same, or if you have done so at any time, strive to correct yourself more quickly. Sicut oculus tuus alios confiderat, sic iterum ab aliis notaris. just as|eye|your|others|it trusts|so|again|by|others|you are noted As your eye has relied on others, so you are again noted by others. Quam jucundum et dulce est videre fervidos et devotos Fratres bene morigeratos et disciiplinatos. how|pleasant|and|sweet|it is|to see|fervent|and|devoted|brothers|well|obedient|and|disciplined How pleasant and sweet it is to see fervent and devoted Brothers well-behaved and disciplined. Quam triste est et grave videre inordinate ambulantes, qui ea ad quæ vocati sunt non exercent. how|sad|it is|and|serious|to see|disorderly|walking|who|those things|to|which|called|they are|not|they practice How sad and serious it is to see those walking disorderly, who do not practice the things to which they have been called. Quam nocivum est negligere vocationis suæ propositum, et ad non comissia sensum inclinare. how|harmful|it is|to neglect|of vocation|his|purpose|and|to|not|feasting|sense|to incline How harmful it is to neglect the purpose of your calling, and to incline your senses towards non-committal.

6\\. 6. Memor esto arrepti propositi, et imaginem crucifixi tibi propone. remember|be|having been seized|purpose|and|image|of the crucified|to you|propose Remember to be seized by your purpose, and set before you the image of the crucified. Bene verecundari potes inspecta vita Jesu Christi, quia necdum magis illi te conformare studuisti, licet diu in via Dei fuisti. well|to feel ashamed|you can|having examined|life|of Jesus|Christ|because|not yet|more|to him|you|to conform|you have strived|although|long|in|way|of God|you have been You can truly be ashamed when you consider the life of Jesus Christ, because you have not yet strived to conform yourself to Him, even though you have been on the way of God for a long time. Religiosus qui se intente et devote in sanctissima vita et passione Domini exercet, omnia utilia et necessaria sibi abundanter ibi inveniet. religious|who|himself|intently|and|devotedly|in|most holy|life|and|passion|of the Lord|he practices|all|useful|and|necessary|for himself|abundantly|there|he will find A religious person who earnestly and devoutly practices the most holy life and passion of the Lord will abundantly find all things useful and necessary for themselves there. Nec opus est ut extra Jesum aliquid melius quærat. nor|need|it is|that|outside|Jesus|anything|better|he seeks Nor is there any need to seek anything better outside of Jesus. O, si Jesus crucifixus in cor nostrum veniret, quam cito et sufficienter docti essemus. oh|if|Jesus|crucified|in|heart|our|he would come|how|quickly|and|sufficiently|taught|we would be Oh, if the crucified Jesus would come into our hearts, how quickly and sufficiently we would be taught. Religiosus fervidus bene omnia portat et capit, quæ illi jubentur. religious|fervent|well|all|he bears|and|he takes|which|to him|they are commanded A fervent religious person bears and accepts well all that is commanded to them.

7\\. 7. Religiosus negligens et tepidus habet tribulationem super tribulationem et ex omni parte patitur angustiam, quia interiori consolatione caret, et exteriorem quærere prohibetur. the religious|neglectful|and|lukewarm|he has|tribulation|over|tribulation|and|from|every|side|he suffers|distress|because|inner|consolation|he lacks|and|outer|to seek|he is prohibited A religious person who is negligent and lukewarm suffers tribulation upon tribulation and is afflicted on all sides, because he lacks inner consolation and is prohibited from seeking external comfort. Religiosus extra disciplinam vivens gravi patet ruinæ. the religious|outside|discipline|living|serious|he is exposed to|ruin A religious person living outside of discipline is exposed to serious ruin. Qui laxiora quærit et remissiora, semper in angustiis erit, quia unum aut reliquum displicebit sibi. he who|looser|he seeks|and|more lenient|always|in|distress|he will be|because|one|or|the other|it will displease|to him Whoever seeks looser and more relaxed ways will always be in distress, because one thing or another will displease him.

8\\. 8\. Quomodo faciunt tam multi alii Religiosi qui satis arctati sunt sub disciplina claustrali, rare execunt, abstracte vivunt, pauperrime comedunt, grosse vestiuntur, multum laborant, parum loquuntur, diu vigilant, mature surgunt, et orationes prolongant, frequenter legunt et se in omni disciplina custodiunt. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||they rise||||||||||| How do so many other Religious who are sufficiently constrained under monastic discipline, rarely go out, live abstractly, eat very poorly, dress coarsely, work a lot, speak little, stay awake for long periods, rise early, and prolong their prayers, frequently read and keep themselves in all discipline. Attende Cartusienses et Benedictinos, et Cistercienses ac diversæ religionis Monachos et Moniales qualiter omni nocte ad psallendum Deo surgunt. ||and||and|||||||||||||to God| Consider the Carthusians and Benedictines, and Cistercians and monks and nuns of various religions, how every night they rise to sing to God. Et ideo turpe esset, ut tu debeas in tam sancto opere dormitare et pigritare, ubi tanta multitudo Religiosorum incipit Deo jubilare. And therefore it would be shameful for you to sleep and be lazy in such a holy work, where so many Religious begin to rejoice in God.

9\\. 9. O, si nihil aliud faciendum incumberet, nisi Dominum Deum nostrum tot corde et ore laudare. O|if|nothing|else|to be done|it would weigh upon|unless|Lord|God|our|with all|heart|and|mouth|to praise Oh, if nothing else were required but to praise our Lord God with all our heart and mouth. O, si nunquam indigeres comedere, nec bibere, nec dormire, sed semper posses Deum laudare, et solummodo spiritualibus studiis vacare, tunc multo felicior esses, quam modo carni ex qualicumque necessitate serviens. O|if|never|you would need|to eat|nor|to drink|nor|to sleep|but|always|you could|God|to praise|and|only|spiritual|studies|to devote oneself|then|much|happier|you would be|than|now|flesh|from|whatever|necessity|serving Oh, if you never needed to eat, or drink, or sleep, but could always praise God, and devote yourself solely to spiritual pursuits, then you would be much happier than now, serving the flesh out of whatever necessity. Utinam non essent istæ necessitates, sed solummodo spirituales animæ refectiones, quas heu satis raro degustamus. would that|not|they would be|those|necessities|but|only|spiritual|soul|refreshment|which|alas|enough|rarely|we taste If only there were no such necessities, but only spiritual refreshment for the soul, which, alas, we taste all too rarely.

10\\. 10. Quando homo ad hoc pervenit, quod de nulla creatura consolationem quærit, tunc ei Deus primo perfecte sapere incipit, tunc etiam bene contentus de omni eventu rerum erit, tunc nec pro magno lætabitur, nec pro modico contristabitur, sed ponit se integre, et fiducialiter in Deo, qui est ei omnia in omnibus, cui nihil utique parit, nec moritur, sed omnia ei vivunt, et ad nutum incunctanter deserviunt. when|man|to|this|he arrives|that|from|no|creature|consolation|he seeks|then|to him|God|first|perfectly|to know|he begins|then|also|well|content|with|every|outcome|of things|he will be|then|nor|for|great|he will rejoice|nor|for|small|he will be saddened|but|he places|himself|entirely|and|confidently|in|God|who|is|to him|all|in|all|to whom|nothing|certainly|he gives birth|nor|he dies|but|all|to him|they live|and|to|nod|without delay|they serve When a man reaches the point where he seeks consolation from no creature, then God begins to make him truly wise; then he will also be well content with every outcome of events, then he will neither rejoice greatly nor be saddened by little things, but he places himself entirely and confidently in God, who is everything to him in all things, to whom nothing is equal, nor does he die, but all things live for him and serve him without hesitation.

11\\. 11. Memento semper finis, et quia perditum non redit tempus, sine sollicitudine, et diligentia nunquam acquires virtutes. remember|always|end|and|because|lost|not|it returns|time|without|worry|and|diligence|never|you will acquire|virtues Always remember the end, and because lost time does not return, without anxiety, and without diligence you will never acquire virtues. Si incipis tepescere, incipis male habere. if|you begin|to grow warm|you begin|badly|to have If you begin to grow lukewarm, you begin to do poorly. Si autem dederis te ad fervorem, invenies magnam pacem, et senties leviorem laborem propter Dei gratiam et virtutis amorem. if|however|you give|yourself|to|fervor|you will find|great|peace|and|you will feel|lighter|labor|because of|God's|grace|and|virtue|love But if you give yourself to fervor, you will find great peace, and you will feel lighter labor because of God's grace and the love of virtue. Homo fervidus et diligens ad omnia est paratus. man|fervent|and|diligent|to|all|is|prepared A fervent and diligent person is prepared for everything. Major labor est resistere vitiis et passionibus, quam corporalibus insudare laboribus. greater|labor|is|to resist|vices|and|passions|than|bodily|to toil|labors It is a greater labor to resist vices and passions than to toil with physical labors. Qui parvos non devitat defectus, paulatim labitur ad majora. who|small|not|avoids|failures|gradually|slips|towards|greater He who does not avoid small faults gradually slips into greater ones. Gaudebis semper de vespere, si diem expendes fructuose. you will rejoice|always|about|evening|if|day|you spend|fruitfully You will always rejoice in the evening if you spend the day fruitfully. Vigila semper te ipsum et quidquid de aliis sit non negligas te ipsum. be vigilant|always|yourself|yourself|and|whatever|about|others|it is|not|you neglect|yourself| Always watch over yourself and do not neglect yourself for whatever concerns others. Tantum proficies, quantum tibi ipsi vim intuleris. as much|you will progress|as|to yourself|yourself|force|you have applied You will progress only as much as you apply yourself. Amen. Amen Amen.