¹ Since I have long spoken about morals and moral disciplines, you ask again, my son who must be instructed, to be taught. You have heard what is written: “For he who is not satisfied with little, more will not benefit him.” I wrote to you before about seriousness and chastity, to which, as someone aptly put it, I even fear what is safe. But since admonition serves as a safeguard for some, as consolation for others, and as perfection for those who fulfill it, it is necessary to frequently teach and instruct the dearest sons so that, through certain delights of literature, they may be able to overcome the bitterness of the internal battle within themselves.

² Therefore, conquer the battle, which is also a beastly struggle—namely, desires and arrogance. Be strong in humility, weak in authority, simple in faith, learned in morals, biting in the faults of others, lenient in your own, pure in friendship, cunning in traps, harsh in softness, gentle in hardships. Be varied in plain matters, straightforward in complex ones, cheerful in bitterness, sorrowful in joy. Be contentious in necessities, equitable in truths. Severe in pleasures, sweet in bitterness. Strong in tribulations and weak in discord, slow to anger, quick to learn, also slow to speak, as Saint James says, and likewise quick to listen. Be effective in progress, sluggish in vengeance, cautious in speech, ready in action. Be lovable to the good, repulsive to the dishonest, gentle to the weak, harsh to the foolish, upright with the upright, humble with the lowly. Be sober everywhere, chaste everywhere, always modest, patient up to the point of zeal, never greedy, always generous, whether in resources or in spirit. Be timely in fasting, persistent in vigils. Be discreet in duties, steadfast in studies, constant in calamities, joyful in sorrows. Be bold in the cause of truth, fearful in disputes, submissive to the good, unconquerable by the wicked, mild in generosity, tireless in charity, just in all things, pious to the worthy, merciful to the poor. Be mindful of benefits, forgetful of injuries. Love what is moderate, spurn wealth, humble in mind, open about your thoughts. Be obedient to elders, competitive with the young, equal with equals. Strive with the perfect, do not envy the better, do not grieve over those who surpass you, do not disparage those who lag behind, agree with those who challenge you. Even when weary, do not falter. Weep and rejoice at the same time, out of fervor and hope. Always fear for the end, even if you are progressing, for it is uncertain.

³ Behold, O beloved boy and sweet servant, your monument; if you are like this, you will be most blessed, for you will remain the same through both prosperity and adversity, prepared for all things, meeting each challenge, moderating your actions, nurturing what should grow, eliminating what should diminish, easing the harsh, intensifying what is reproved. Always be vigilant, always growing, always acquiring, always striving for the heights, always running toward the prize, always desiring heavenly things, always thirsting for the divine. Behold the doctrine; give yourself to following it if you can, so that you may have happiness and power, as you flee youthful desires, bringing your body under the power of the spirit and offering yourself as a pledge for your sins, quickly enlisting for eternal rewards. O how happy you will be! O how blessed! O how marvelous a boy you will be if you fulfill all these things!

⁴ For if you are diligently occupied in all these matters, in both thought and action, you will not be idle, nor given to vain and wandering, nor to shameful thoughts; rather, always beginning anew, you will gather for yourself the riches you will enjoy forever. You will be called a man of singular mind and a seeker of unique gain, an exceptional merchant of the eternal kingdom. Therefore, turn yourself entirely to these things, for you have in them a field in which to exercise your youth, your virtue, your efficacy, and your vigor—lest these qualities, exercised in contrary matters, should perish, for “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force”.