Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Prodigality is an evil by excess at the points wherecovetousness sins by defect, and vice versa. Thus, in interiordesire for riches, covetousness is excessive, prodigality isdefective. But in using riches, covetousness is defective, andprodigality is excessive. For prodigality is the careless andfoolish squandering of riches.
2. Prodigality is manifestly an evil, for it conflictswith right reason. Aristotle (Ethic. iv 1) says ofthe prodigal man that his giving is not good, nor for a goodpurpose, nor is it regulated by reason.
3. But prodigality, in itself, is not so grievous a fault ascovetousness, because: (a) it is less unreasonable; (b) it doessome good, whereas covetousness does none; (c) it is an evil morereadily cured than covetousness is.
"Lord, here burn, here cut, and dry up in me all that hinders me from going to You, that You may spare me in eternity."
St Louis Bertrand
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"Try to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God.
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Thomas á Kempis
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"He who wishes to be perfectly obeyed, should give but few orders."
St Philip Neri
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