Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Observance, as allied to piety, is asubordinate yet a distinct virtue. By observance,one gives honor and respect to those who are in positions ofdignity. Piety reveres excellence to which gratitude isowed. Observance reveres excellence in itself.
2. Those who occupy positions of dignity have excellenceof office. And they should have excellence in exercisingthe powers of that office. On both scores, they deserve respect andhonor. This respect and honor is shown them by the virtue ofobservance.
3. Piety is a greater virtue than observance is. For pietyreverences those who are in some way akin to us (by creation,blood, or favors conferred), and with these we have stronger bondsthan with others whom we are to revere by way of observance.
"Happy is the youth, because he has time before him to do good. "
St Philip Neri
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"There is nothing which gives greater security to our actions, or more effectually cuts the snares the devil lays for us, than to follow another person’s will, rather than our own, in doing good."
St Philip Neri
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"Though the path is plain and smooth for people of good will, those who walk it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty if they do not have good feet, courage, and tenacity of spirit.
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St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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