ON VIRTUE--ALL VIRTUES GIVEN WITH GOD IN THIS DEGREE OF THE PRAYER OF
THE HEART.
This is the short and the sure way of acquiring virtue; because, God
being the principle of all virtue, we possess all virtue in possessing
God.
More than this, I say that all virtue which is not given inwardly is a
mask of virtue, and like a garment that can be taken off, and will wear
out. But virtue communicated fundamentally is essential, true, and
permanent. "The King's daughter is all glorious within" (Ps. xlv. 13).
And there are none who practise virtue more constantly than those who
acquire it in this way, though virtue is not a distinct subject of their
thought.
How hungry these loving ones are after suffering! They think only of
what can please their Beloved, and they begin to neglect themselves, and
to think less of themselves. The more they love God, the more they hate
themselves.
Oh, if all could learn this method, so easy that it is suited for all,
for the most ignorant as for the most learned, how easily the whole
Church would be reformed! You only need to love. St Augustine says,
"Love, and do as you please;" for when we love perfectly, we shall not
desire to do anything that could be displeasing to our Beloved.