How Virtue Drives Out Vice

Where there is Love and Wisdom,

there is neither Fear nor Ignorance.

Where there is Patience and Humility,

there is neither Anger nor Annoyance.

Where there is Poverty and Joy,

there is neither Cupidity nor Avarice.

Where there is Peace and Contemplation,

there is neither Care nor Restlessness.

Where there is the Fear of God to guard the dwelling,

there no enemy can enter.

Where there is Mercy and Prudence,

there is neither Excess nor Harshness.

 

By Francis of Assisi

[Christian History originally published this article in Christian History Issue #42 in 1994]

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