It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh, and to labour for that for which thou must afterwards suffer grievous punishment. It is vanity to wish to live long, and to be careless to live well. It is vanity to mind this present life, and not those things which are to come. It is vanity to set thy love on that which speedily passeth away, and not to hasten thither, where everlasting joys remain. CHAPTER II. _Of thinking humbly of ourselves._ *ALL men naturally desire to know; but what availeth knowledge, without the fear of God? Surely, an humble husbandman that serveth God, is better than a proud philosopher, that neglecting himself, studies the course of the heavens. He that knoweth himself, is vile in his own eyes, and is not pleased with the praises of men. If I understood all things in the world, and had not charity, what would that help me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my works? 2. Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing, for therein is much distraction and deceit. There are many things, to know which doth little profit the soul. And he is very unwise, that minds any other things than those that tend to the welfare of his soul. Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a pure conscience giveth confidence towards God. *The more thou knowest, and the better thou understandest, the more grievously shalt thou be judged, unless thy life be the more holy. Be not therefore lifted up; but rather let the knowledge given thee make thee afraid. If thou thinkest that thou knowest much; yet there are many more things which thou knowest not. Be not over-wise, but rather acknowledge thine own ignorance. *If thou wilt know any thing profitably, love to be unknown, and of no account. 4. The highest and most profitable lesson is, the true knowledge of ourselves. It is great wisdom to esteem ourselves nothing, and to think always well and highly of others. If thou shouldst see another openly sin, yet oughtest thou not to esteem thyself better than him. *We are all frail, but remember, none more frail than thyself. CHAPTER III. _Of the doctrine of truth._ HAPPY is he, whom truth itself teacheth, not by figures, and words that pass away; but by an immediate communication of itself. Our own opinion and our own sense often deceive us, and discern little. What availeth it to dispute about hidden things, for being ignorant of which we shall not be reproved at the day of judgment? It is great folly to neglect things profitable, and to think of curious or hurtful things. 2. And what have we to do with dry notions? He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh, is delivered from a world of vain notions. From the One Word are all things, and all speak that one: and this is he, who also speaketh unto us. No man understandeth or judgeth rightly without him.