on its own account, or because of the person who laid it on you; or, if you dislike it, because it hinders you from doing what you like better, still undertake it and complete it, whatever trouble it be to you, and though you might find comfort by not doing it. Because if you leave it, you would never learn to suffer, neither would true peace ever be your portion, as it does not spring except from a soul purified from passion and adorned with holiness.
The same holds good of harassing thoughts, which at times molest and disturb the mind. You need not drive them entirely away, for, together with the pain they cause you, they accustom you to bear contradictions. Whoever gives you different advice, teaches you rather to shun the pain you feel, than to gain the virtue which you desire.
True, indeed, it is that a young soldier ought to manœuvre and guard himself with watchfulness and dexterity on such occasions, now facing the enemy, now retiring, as he gains more or less spiritual strength and power; yet he must never quite turn away and retreat, so as to place himself far from all opportunity of contradiction: for though for the time he might save himself from falling, in the future he would run a greater risk, when exposed to the assaults of impatience, from not having armed and strength-
