Happy is he whom truth herself teaches, not by colorful speech or empty words, but by her own essence. Our opinion and our feelings often deceive us because they cannot see themselves. What use is it for us to inquire into and argue about obscure and secret things when we will not be blamed for not knowing them on the day of judgment. It is folly to give our attention to curious and harmful things while we neglect seeking profitable and necessary things. We, having eyes, see not. Why do we care about Genera and Species? He to whom the eternal word speaks is saved from many opinions. From the Word came all things, and all things speak the Word. No man without the Word can understand or judge rightly. He to whom all things are one and who makes all things one and sees all things in one will be firm in heart and enjoy peace in God. Oh God of truth make me one with you in everlasting love. Often it tires me to hear and read many things. In you, O God, is all that I need and all that I desire. Let all teachers hold their peace, and all creatures keep silent; let all be quiet so I may hear God speak to me. The more a man is one with God the more he will understand, for his light of understanding comes from above. A pure, simple and humble spirit is not disturbed by many things, for he does all things to the honor of God and strives to free himself from all curiosity. What holds you back and troubles you more than your own pride. A good and devout man first decides within himself those things which he plans to do. These plans do not lead him to lustful or vicious desires, he restrains them by the judgment of pure reason. Who has a greater battle than he who uses force to conquer himself? This should be our work. To conquer ourselves and daily grow stronger and grow spiritually. All perfection in this world has some imperfection in it, and our brightest knowledge has some shadows across it. A humble knowledge of yourself is more acceptable to God than the constant pursuit of worldly knowledge. Learning or the simple knowledge of things should not be avoided. They are good and are accepted by God; but a clear conscience and a virtuous life is more to be desired. Because many prefer to gain knowledge than to live well, they are often deceived and bring forth little fruit or none at all. If men worked as hard rooting out vices and planting virtues as they do in preparing questions, there would not be so much wickedness in the world. Certainly on the day of judgment we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; nor what we have said but how humbly we have lived. Tell me, where are all the great men that you knew or heard of while they lived or while they spoke? Now others enjoy that same position and I doubt if they ever think of the men who had preceded them. How quickly does the glory of this world pass away! During their lives they seemed to be important, but now no one speaks of them. If their life has been as complete as their knowledge, then they would have studied and read to a good end. How many in this world perish because of vain knowledge and never consider serving God? Because they choose rather to be great than humble, they vanish in their own thoughts. He is truly great who is humble and meek, and does not seek honors. He is truly great who has charity. He is wise who considers all earthly things as stinking dung so that he might win Christ. And he is truly well learned who does the will of God and forsakes his own will.