How many consciences have been led to evil through vanity and song! Happy the one who can say with heart, lips, and deeds: Jesus, my Love! Jesus, my Spouse! Jesus my God and my All! How beautiful and great will be the kingdom received in the world to come by the one who in this world, for Christ’s sake, imprisoned himself in the cloister—especially if he has been faithful not merely to the place of enclosure, but to the true enclosure of the heart: through the window of the senses allowing nothing vain to enter and not allowing the heart to go out through the affections, but, in all this, loving Jesus alone with all his heart and seeking in Jesus alone his delight and consolation. Chapter II The Virtue of Prudence The Virgin’s Prudence, among her virtues the second mentioned in the Gospel, which you should possess and cultivate in three ways, in imitation of the Virgin. The Virgin Mary was always most prudent. From her prudence, in order to please Christ, she thought, spoke, and acted as follows: She thought within herself about Gabriel’s manner of greeting her [cf. Lk 1:29], and she kept all these words, pondering them in her heart [cf. Lk 2:19; cf. Lk 2:51]. She fled into Egypt [cf. Mt 2:13-14] for the safety of her Son, nor did she return from there until after the death of Herod [cf. Mt 2:19-21]. Finally, she avoided the country where Archelaus reigned [cf. Mt 2:22]. According to the example and in imitation of the Virgin, and seeking to please Christ and the Virgin, devout souls shall not lightly break silence, but they shall speak only after deliberation [cf. Jas 1:19]. Before opening their lips they should ponder in their heart what they are going to say. Let them be on their guard against all lies or foolish talk, for God will destroy all those who speak a lie [cf. Ps 5:7]. Since perfect wisdom consists in knowing how to please God [cf. 1 Thes 4:1], and avoiding all Appendix 310
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