I bid thee not, Child, to do harm to anyone, thereby to create to
thyself any misery or unquietness. This is not what I mean by walking
contrary in everything to the World. But because the World, as the
World, loveth all deceit and vanity, and walketh in false and
treacherous ways, thence, if thou hast a mind to act a clean contrary
part to the ways thereof, without any exception or reserve whatsoever,
walk thou only in the right way, which is called the _Way of Light_, as
that of the World is properly the _Way of Darkness_. For the right way,
even the Path of Light, is contrary to all the ways of the World.
But whereas thou art afraid of creating to thyself hereby trouble and
inquietude, that indeed will be so according to the flesh. In the world
thou must have trouble, and thy flesh will not fail to be unquiet, and
to give thee occasion of continual repentance. Nevertheless in this very
_anxiety of soul_ arising from the world or the flesh, the Love doth
most willingly enkindle itself, and its cheering and conquering fire is
but made to blaze forth with greater strength for the destruction of
that evil. And whereas thou dost also say, that the World will for this
esteem thee mad; it is true the World will be apt enough to censure thee
for a madman in walking contrary to it, and thou art not to be surprised
if the children thereof laugh at thee, calling thee silly Fool. For the
Way to the Love of God is Folly to the World, but is Wisdom to the
Children of God. Hence, whenever the World perceiveth this holy Fire of
Love in God's Children, it concludeth immediately that they are turned
fools, and are beside themselves. But to the Children of God that which
is despised of the World is the greatest Treasure, yea, so great a
Treasure is it as no life can express, nor tongue so much as name what
this enflaming, all-conquering Love of God is. It is brighter than the
Sun; it is sweeter than anything that is called sweet; it is stronger
than all strength; it is more nutrimental than food; more cheering to
the heart than wine, and more pleasant than all the joy and pleasantness
of this world. Whosoever obtaineth it is richer than any Monarch on
earth; and he who getteth it, is nobler than any Emperor can be, and
more potent and absolute than all Power and Authority.