Begin with the Psalter, and teach your daughter how to chant the Psalms. You can read with her the Proverbs, by which she will know the moral precepts. This can be followed by Ecclesiasticus, a book so capable of inspiring her with a contempt of this world. You can then proceed to the Gospels – these, your daughter ought ever to have on hand. She can then read the Acts and Epistles of the Apostles. These finished she will gladly learn by heart the Prophets and Historical books. Lastly, she can read the Canticle of Canticles, for she will have been prepared to understand this in a spiritual sense.
The Master of that religion has been crucified. His servants have been chained down like criminals, and yet for all that, His religion grows and flourishes every day.
The clergy are called by that name, either because they are a portion of the inheritance of the Lord or because the Lord is their portion. He, therefore, who is thus of the heirdom of the Lord, or he who has God for his portion, should show himself to be worthy of possessing God, and that God should possess him.
Nothing so corrupts the heart and mind as flattery, for the flatterer’s tongue does more harm than the persecutor’s sword. We are dragged downwards by an evil which is inherent within us, we feel favourably towards those who flatter us, and although in our reply we show, or pretend to show, that we are unworthy of their praise, we nevertheless receive the flattering praise with a secret joy and pleasure.
We must take care not to only to avoid leading a bad life, but we must not contract a friendship with those who live sinfully, for that, according to the Prophet, is included among the sins. True friendship exists not in family interests, nor with those persons by whom we are accustomed to be entertained, nor with those who flatter us, and whose company is dangerous, but with those who cherish the holy fear of God and the study of Holy Scripture.
Whether you like it or not, marriage is subordinated to virginity and widowhood. Even when marriage continues to fulfil its function, the Church does not condemn it, but only subordinates it; it does not reject it, but only regulates it. It is in your power, if you will, to mount the second step of chastity. Why are you angry if, standing on the third and lowest step, you will not make haste to go up higher?
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