That is just our Lord's way. He gives as God, but He _will_ have humility of heart. XVII LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE [12] John, xxi, 5. [13] Luke, v, 5. TO think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect--that is happiness. That creatures should recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us, makes us no poorer; it is they who by this lose interior joy; for there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbour. COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES IT is a great joy to me, not only when others find me imperfect, but above all when I feel that so I am: compliments, on the contrary, cause me nothing but displeasure. COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES A NOVICE confided to her that she made no progress and felt quite discouraged. "Till the age of fourteen," said Therese, "I practised virtue without feeling its sweetness. I wished for suffering but had no thought of finding my joy therein; that is a grace which has been granted me later. My soul was like a beautiful tree whose blossoms no sooner opened than they fell. "Offer to the good God the sacrifice of never gathering the fruits of your labours. If He so will that during your whole life you feel a repugnance to suffer and to be humiliated, if He permit that all the flowers of your desires and of your good-will fall to earth without fruit, be not troubled. At the moment of your death He will know well how to bring to perfection, in the twinkling of an eye, beautiful fruits on the tree of your soul. "We read in the Book of Ecclesiasticus: _'There is an inactive man that wanteth help, is very weak in ability, and full of poverty: yet the eye of God hath looked upon him for good, and hath lifted him up from his low estate, and hath exalted his head: and many have wondered at him and have glorified God._ _'Trust in God, and stay in thy place. For it is easy in the eyes of God, on a sudden to make the poor man rich. The blessing of God maketh haste to reward the just, and in a swift hour His blessing beareth fruit!'"_ [14] COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES [14] Ecclus., xi, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24. "YOU have always been faithful to divine grace, have you not?" "Yes, since the age of three I have refused nothing to the good God. Yet not mine the glory. See how the setting sun this evening gilds the topmost branches of the trees; even so does my soul appear to you--all bright and gilded, because it is exposed to Love's rays. If the Divine Sun withheld from me His rays, my soul would immediately become obscured and enveloped in darkness." COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES "YOU really are a saint!" some one said to her. "No, I am not a saint; I have never done the works of the Saints. I am a very, very little soul on whom the good God has outpoured the abundance of His grace. You will see in Heaven that I am telling you the truth." COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES