He does well who regards rather the common good than his own will. That seems often to be charity which is rather natural affection; because our own natural inclination, self-will, hope of retribution, desire of our own interest, will seldom be wanting. He that has true and perfect charity seeks himself in no one thing, but desires only the glory of God in all things.
-Bk. I, ch. xv.
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"You will find more opportunities of practising virtue at recreation than at any other time. If you want to gain merit, go with the intention of recreating others, not yourself, in a spirit of detachment. If, for instance, you begin to tell your neighbour what seems to you an interesting story, and she interrupts you with a story of her own that does not interest you, listen to her and do not try to bring back the conversation to your original remark. If you do this, you will go away from recreation with deep inward peace and renewed strength for the practice of virtue, because you did not seek your own satisfaction, but tried to give pleasure to others. If you only knew how much you gain by denying yourself on all occasions!"
"You know it well; I think it is what you have always done."
"Yes, I have always tried to forget myself and not to seek my own satisfaction."
-Conseils et Souvenirs.
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Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
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