He should first show them in deeds rather than words all that is good and holy.

Run while you have the light of life!

The prophet shows that, for the sake of silence, we are to abstain even from good talk. If this be so, how much more needful is it that we refrain from evil words, on account of the penalty of the sin!

It is useless to subdue the flesh by abstinence, unless one gives up his irregular life, and abandons vices which defile his soul.

Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.

Listen carefully, my child, to your master's precepts, and incline the ear of your heart. Receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father's advice, that by the labor of obedience you may return to Him from whom you had departed by the sloth of disobedience.

Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection.