Choose a topic from Part 2B:

138. Vices Opposed to Perseverance

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.

"Happy is the youth, because he has time before him to do good. "
St Philip Neri

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"What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. "
Thomas á Kempis

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"To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself. "
Thomas á Kempis

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