If thou wouldst know and learn any thing to the purpose: love to be unknown, and esteemed as nothing. {8} 4. This is the highest and most profitable lesson, truly to know, and to despise ourselves. To have no opinion of ourselves, and to think always well and commendably of others, is great wisdom and high perfection. If thou shouldst see another openly sin, or commit some heinous crime, yet thou oughtest not to esteem thyself better: because thou knowest not how long thou mayest remain in a good state. We are all frail: but see thou think no one more frail than thyself. Chap. III.--_Of the doctrine of truth_. 1. Happy is he whom _truth_ teacheth by itself, not by figures and words that pass, but as it is in itself. Our opinion, and our sense, often deceive us, and discover but little. What signifies making a great dispute about abstruse and obscure matters, for not knowing of which we shall not be questioned at the day of judgment. {9} It is a great folly for us to neglect things profitable and necessary, and willingly to busy ourselves about those which are curious and hurtful.--We have eyes and see not. 2. And what need we concern ourselves about questions of philosophy? He to whom the _Eternal Word_ speaketh, is set at liberty from a multitude of opinions. From _one Word_ are all things, and this one all things speak: and this is _the beginning which also speaks to us_, John viii. 23. Without this _Word_ no one understands or judges rightly. He to whom all things are _one_ [Footnote], and who draws all things to _one_,--and who sees all things in _one_,--may be steady in heart, and peaceably repose in God. [Footnote: The Author seems here to allude to that passage of St. Paul, 1 Corinthians ii. 2. where he says, "That he desired to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified."] O _Truth_, my God, make me one with thee in everlasting love. {10} I am weary with often reading and hearing many things: in thee is _all_ that I will or desire. Let all teachers hold their peace; let all creatures be silent in thy sight: speak thou alone to me. 3. The more a man is united within himself, and interiorly simple, the more and higher things doth he understand without labour: because he receives the light of understanding from above. A pure, simple, and steady spirit, is not dissipated by a multitude of affairs; because he performs them all to the honour of God, and endeavours to be at rest within himself, and free from all seeking of himself. Who is a greater hinderance and trouble to thee, than thine own unmortified affection of heart? A good and devout man first disposes his works inwardly, which he is to do outwardly. Neither do they draw him to the desires of an inordinate inclination: but he bends them to the rule of right reason. {11} Who has a stronger conflict than he who strives to overcome himself?