19. What He Must Do Who Desires to Possess the Gift of Knowledge ; and of the Things Which Hinder and Even Destroy It

BUT to him who desires to possess this divine gift of Knowledge together with every discernment that springs out of it, it must of necessity be granted that he have a mind calm and serene, rejoicing in sweet peace, and orderly in great adversities, and that he bear equably the curses and execra tions of men, their quarrels, and their bitterness, and that he behold everything wisely and fully, and clearly recognise without doubtfulness what s,hould be done in accordance with discernment : so as to know, to give and to receive, to dispose, rule and control all things rightly, which is to spend a life in union with truth ; and in the same way let him always mark, consider and note all his actions, which is to lead a life illumined with true discernment whereby indeed he perceives and beholds that he neither benefits nor repays God or man as rightly he ought, but is ever falling short of the perfection of justice : whence he recognises and appreciates his own imperfection and deficiency. Moreover when he has perceived all these things he will be displeased with himself with a true humiliation and depreciation of himself, and he will lament and accuse his own deficiency with a sad and mournful heart; and with this understanding will he possess the virtues in their excellence and nobility.

But there are four certain hindrances impeding a man from obtaining or possessing the gift of knowledge in its highest perfection.

I. To burn with great desire of the virtues apart from a discreet consideration, — that is assuredly a hindrance to knowledge.

II. In virtuous actions that he should be preoccupied and unquiet in heart obscures and deadens the reason.

III. He who in his virtues is pleasing to himself, nor bewails his own deficiency, is without true understanding.

IV. He who spends his life in this world and is too little desirous of being set free from exile is wanting in the gift of Knowledge.

Other four things can be added to these which undermine, overturn and banish all virtue.

I. An irate mind, raging and boiling with the madness of anger is destitute of Knowledge.

II. To manifest savage movements before himself, a cruel .countenance, and likewise to swear and utter curses is the mark of an unwise and indiscreet or unreasoning man.

III. To lay claim to a good deal on his own account, but to be persuaded of no good in others gives promise of no virtue in him, — this is the mark . of a man who least of all understands himself.

IV. That he should be content with this world, and that he should not grieve over his ill deeds, — this plainly leads to hell.