Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter XVI
CHAPTER XVI.
OF BEARING WITH THE DEFECTS OF OTHERS.
HOSE things that a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought to suffer patiently, until God order otherwise.
Think that perhaps it is better so for thy trial and patience, without which all our good deeds are not much to be esteemed.
Thou oughtest to pray notwithstanding when thou hast such impediments, that God would vouchsafe to help thee, and that thou mayest be able to bear them.
2. If one that is once or twice warned will not give over, contend not with him: but commit all to God, that His will may be done, and His name honoured in all His servants, Who knoweth well how to turn evil unto good.
Endeavour to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort soever they be; for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others.
If thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou wouldest, how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking?
We are desirous to have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults.
3. We will have others severely corrected, and will not be corrected ourselves.
The large liberty of others displeaseth us; and yet we will not have our own desires denied us.
We will have others kept under by strict laws; but in no sort will we ourselves be restrained.
And thus it appeareth, how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves.
If all men were perfect, what should we have to suffer of our neighbour for God?
4. But now God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another's burdens; for no man is without fault; no man but hath his burden; no man is sufficient of himself; no man is wise enough of himself; but we ought to bear with one another, comfort one another, help, instruct, and admonish one another.
Occasions of adversity soonest discover how great virtue or strength each one hath.
For occasions do not make a man frail, but they shew what he is.