Never scorn anything that seems wanting in brilliancy, and remember to be really happy we must have-- More _virtue_ than knowledge, More _love_ than tenderness, More _guidance_ than cleverness, More _health_ than riches, More _repose_ than profit. VI. Each day is like a furrow lying before us; our thoughts, desires, and actions are the seed that each minute we drop into it, without seeming to perceive it. The furrow finished, we commence upon another, then another, and again another; each day presents a fresh one, and so on to the end of life ... sowing, ever sowing. And all we have sown springs up, grows and bears fruit, almost unknown to us; even if by chance we cast a backward glance we fail to recognize our work. Behind us angels and demons, like gleaners, gather together in sheaves all that belongs to them. Every night their store is increased. They preserve it, and at the last day will present it to their Master. Is there not a thought in this that should make us reflect? VII. "LEARN OF ME, FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY OF HEART" This is a simple rule of life for me, requiring no more than I am able; but I feel it unites me to GOD, makes me more devout, more faithful to duty, more ready for death. Since I have made it my rule, it has been to me a source of consolation, enlightenment, and strength; and yet GOD alone knows how full of pain my life has been! Dear friends, who, like myself, long to become holy, I commend this sentence to you in all its simplicity; listen, for it comes from the loving Heart of JESUS, it fell from His gentle Lips:-- "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart." I. BE MEEK 1. MEEK TOWARDS GOD Living from day to day beneath His Eye, and where all things are ordered by a Divine Providence. As carefully as a mother arranges the room where her child will pass the day, does GOD prepare each hour that opens before me. Whatever has to be done, it is His Will that I should do it; and in order that it should be done well, He provides the necessary time, intelligence, aptitude, and knowledge. Whatever of suffering presents itself, He expects me to bear it, even though I may not see any reason for it; and if the pain be so sharp as to call forth a cry, He gently whispers, "Courage, My child, for it is My will!" If anything occurs to hinder my work, anything goes contrary to my plans and projects, He has ordained it so on purpose, because He knows that too much success would make me proud, too much ease would make me sensual; and He would teach me that the road to heaven is not _success_, but _labor and devotion_. With such thoughts as these all rebellion is hushed! With what peace, what joy, our work may be begun, continued, interrupted, and resumed! With what energy we reject those enemies that assail us at every hour,--idleness, haste, preoccupation, success, want of perseverance under difficulties!