Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the inspiration of Divine grace.

There is nothing better to display the truth in an excellent light, than a clear and simple statement of facts.

Idleness is the enemy of the soul and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading.

Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.

He who has ears for hearing, let him listen

The first degree of humility is prompt obedience.

The prophet shows that, for the sake of silence, we are to abstain even from good talk. If this be so, how much more needful is it that we refrain from evil words, on account of the penalty of the sin!

And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace.

To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself but to recognize always that the evil is one's own doing, and to impute it on one's self.

Listen carefully, my child, to your master's precepts, and incline the ear of your heart. Receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father's advice, that by the labor of obedience you may return to Him from whom you had departed by the sloth of disobedience.

Be careful to be gentle, lest in removing the rust, you break the whole instrument.

The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.