Examination of the state of our soul toward our neighbour.
We must love a husband or a wife with a sweet and quiet, steadfast and continual love, which takes precedence over every other, for God so ordains it: we must likewise have a great love for our children and our relations, and also for our friends, each according to their station.
But, to speak generally, how stands your heart toward your neighbour? Do you love him heartily and for the love of God? To discern this rightly, you must call to mind certain ill-tempered and troublesome people; for it is chiefly there that one may exercise the love of God toward one’s neighbour, and particularly toward those who wrong us by word or deed. Examine well whether your heart harbours anything against them, and whether you find it very hard to love them.
Are you not quick to speak ill of your neighbour, especially of those who do not love you? Do you harm no one, either directly or indirectly? If you are at all reasonable, you will readily perceive it.
We must love a husband or a wife with a sweet and quiet, steadfast and continual love, which takes precedence over every other, for God so ordains it: we must likewise have a great love for our children and our relations, and also for our friends, each according to their station.
But, to speak generally, how stands your heart toward your neighbour? Do you love him heartily and for the love of God? To discern this rightly, you must call to mind certain ill-tempered and troublesome people; for it is chiefly there that one may exercise the love of God toward one’s neighbour, and particularly toward those who wrong us by word or deed. Examine well whether your heart harbours anything against them, and whether you find it very hard to love them.
Are you not quick to speak ill of your neighbour, especially of those who do not love you? Do you harm no one, either directly or indirectly? If you are at all reasonable, you will readily perceive it.