We must hold as an irrefutable maxim that the difficulties we have with our neighbor arise more from our immortified moods than from anything else.

You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which embraces at the same time contemplation and action, as does yours, by God's grace.

Let us do our duty well; let us go straight to God; let us work to become very humble, very patient, very mortified, and very charitable.

. . . [I]n the kingdom of charity, one prefers to suffer some inconvenience rather than inconvenience the neighbor.

It will be most pleasing to O[ur] L[ord] if you husband your strength in order to serve Him better.

Put your trust in Him and following His example, always act humbly, graciously, and in good faith.

If the Company takes my advice, it will always be preserved through this maxim, for if we are good, we will not lack any, and if we are not, we already have too many houses anyway, and can hardly fill the few we have.