| Mirror of Perfection: Advice of St. Columban To A Young Man |
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Be diligent in humility and gentle
in authority, simple in faith, wise in the ways of virtue; keen for
your neighbor's weal, unmindful of your own. Be pure in friendship,
wary of deceit, austere amid luxury, moderate in austerity, temper monotony
with variety, be constant amid change, cheerful in your sorrows, restrained
in your joys. Be at variance, if needs be, but unvarying in truth, severe
amid pleasures, genial amid hardships, brave in suffering, hesitant
in conflict. Be slow to anger, quick to learn, slow also to speak as
St. James teaches but quick likewise to listen.
Be steady in progress, slow to punish, prudent in word, prompt in action, amiable with the just, stern with the shameless, gentle with the weak, firm with the downcast. Be ever sober, ever chaste, modest always, enduring to the point of zeal; never covetous, ever generous, if not with wealth at least in spirit. Be timely in your fasts, instant in your vigils; discreet in life's crises, serene amid mourning. Be bold in the cause of truth, timid in controversy; submissive to the virtuous, unyielding with the wicked, meek in generosity, tireless in charity, just in all things. Be reverent to the worthy, merciful to the poor, mindful of favors, forgetful of injuries, love obscurity, spurn riches, be master of your will, harbor no hidden thoughts. Be obedient to your elders, a companion to the young, the equal of your comrades, emulate the perfect, envy not your betters, grieve not when you are outdistanced, despise not those who lag behind, heed those who urge you on. Be not fainthearted when weary, but joyful through tears for every fervor and hope. Be anxious always for the crown that may be lost as you hasten onward. *Translation by Fr. E. J. McCarthy |