Scorn both these evil suggestions and the wickedness of their author, who is the devil. Be very cheerful and humble yourself as much as you can. Ordinarily, God allows these things to happen to free us from some hidden pride and to engender in us holy humility.

Is it not better to fail after asking advice than to risk acting on our own?

Laws must never be made compatible with crimes, no more than lying should be in harmony with the truth.

It is a ruse of the devil, by which he deceives good people, to induce them to do more than they are able, so that they end up not being able to do anything. The spirit of God urges one gently to do the good that can be done reasonably, so that it may be done perseveringly and for a long time.

If you think something should be done, take the trouble to write to me about it, and together we will decide the time and manner of doing it.

Just as stinginess is blameworthy, so is facility in paying more for things than they are worth...

If you must be in a hurry, then let it be according to the old adage, and hasten slowly.