Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Opposed to perseverance is the vice of softness oreffeminacy, which tends to give way under the effort of sustainedvirtue, even when the stress is slight. Effeminacy takes no joy ingood, and quickly wearies of it.
2. Also opposed to perseverance is pertinacity, which isthe vice of headstrong, stubborn, opinionated people who want theirown way rather than what is right, and who wish to humble anddefeat their opponents. While effeminacy falls short ofperseverance, and sins by defect or deficiency, pertinacity runsahead of perseverance and sins by excess. Cicero (De Inv. Rhet.ii) says that pertinacity is to perseverance as superstitionis to religion.
"Men should often renew their good resolutions, and not lose heart because they are tempted against them."
St Philip Neri
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"Let no one wear a mask, otherwise he will do ill; and if he has one, let him burn it."
St Philip Neri
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"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."
R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP
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