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"THE beginning" of our salvation and the safeguard of it is, as I said,
"the fear of the Lord." For through this those who are trained in the
way of perfection can gain a start in, conversion as well as purification
from vices and security in virtue. And when this has gained an entrance
into a man's heart it produces contempt of all things, and begets a
forgetfulness of kinsfolk and an horror of the world itself. But by the
contempt for the loss of all possessions humility is gained. And humility
is attested by these signs: First of all if a man has all his desires
mortified; secondly, if he conceals none of his actions or even of his
thoughts from his superior; thirdly, if he puts no trust in his own
opinion, but all in the judgment of his superior, and listens eagerly and
willingly to his directions; fourthly, if he maintains in everything
obedience and gentleness and constant patience; fifthly, if he not only
hurts nobody else, but also is not annoyed or vexed at wrongs done to
himself; sixthly, if he does nothing and ventures on nothing to which he is
not urged by the Common Rule or by the example of our elders; seventhly, if
he is contented with the lowest possible position, and considers himself as
a bad workman and unworthy in the case of everything enjoined to him;
eighthly, if he does not only outwardly profess with his lips that he is
inferior to all, but really believes it in the inmost thoughts of his
heart; ninthly, if he governs his tongue, and is not over talkative;
tenthly, if he is not easily moved or too ready to laugh. For by such signs
and the like is true humility recognised. And when this has once been
genuinely secured, then at once it leads you on by a still higher step to
love which knows no fear; and through this you begin, without any effort
and as it were naturally, to keep up everything that you formerly observed
not without fear of punishment; no longer now from regard of punishment or
fear of it but from love of goodness itself, and delight in virtue.
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