Conference XII. On Simplicity and Religious Prudence

The virtue we have now to treat is so necessary that, although I have often spoken of it, you still desire that I should devote a whole Conference to the subject. Now, in the first place, it is necessary to understand what this virtue of simplicity is. You know that, generally speaking, we call a thing simple when it is not embroidered, lined, or of more than one colour. For instance, we say, That person » is dressed very simply, when her dress is only of one material ; that is a simple dress — I mean, with no trimming or lining which we can see, and no outside ornamentation. Well, simplicity is nothing else than an act of pure and simple charity, having one only aim and end, which is to acquire the love of God, and our soul is simple when in all that we do or desire we have no other aim.

The well-known story of the two hostesses, On Simplicity and Religious Prudence 2 1 3 Martha and Magdalen * who entertained Our Lord, is most noteworthy for this very thing. Do you not see that although Martha's desire to show great hospitality to Our Lord was laudable, yet she was reproved by that divine Master, because she added another motive to the good object which made her so eager to serve Him. For, looking upon Our Lord as Man, and believing Him to be like ordinary human beings who cannot be satisfied with a simple meal of one dish, she bustled about, busy in the preparation of many and varied dishes. Thus, to the first pure aim of the love of God, she added many little secondary motives, for which she was reproved by Our Lord : Martha, Martha, thou art f careful and art troubled about many things : but one thing is necessary : Mary hath chosen the best 'part, which shall not be taken away from her.

This act of simple charity, then, which allows us to have no other aim in all our actions but the one desire of pleasing God, is Marys part, which is alone necessary. This is simplicity, a virtue which is inseparable from charity, inasmuch as it looks straight to God, without ever suffering any admixture of selfinterest. It would otherwise no longer be simplicity, for that virtue cannot endure any addition of creatures or any consideration of them. God alone finds place in it. This virtue is Christian only. Pagans, even the most eloquent on the subject of the other virtues, knew nothing whatever of this, any more than of humility. They wrote exceedingly (Addition.)

well on magnanimity, liberality, and constancy, but of simplicity and humility they have written nothing at all. Our Lord Himself came down from heaven to make known to men both these virtues ; without this mankind would have remained ignorant of this so necessary doctrine. Be ye wise as serpents, He said to His Apostles ; but go still further, be simple as doves.

Learn from the dove to love God in simplicity of heart, having but one single aim and object in all that you do. Do not, however, only imitate the simple love of those birds in their having always only one mate, for whom alone they do everything, and whom alone they wish to please, but imitate them also in the simplicity with which they express and show their love. They do not practise little mincing ways, but only coo gently by the side of their mates, happy enough just to rest quietly in their presence.

Simplicity banishes from the soul that solicitous care, which so needlessly urges many to seek out various exercises and means to enable them, as they say, to love God, and which makes it impossible for them to be at peace if they are not doing all that the saints did. Poor souls ! they torment themselves about finding out the art of loving God, not knowing that there is none except to love Him. They think that there is a certain art needed to acquire this love, which is really only to be found in simplicity. Now, when we say that there is no art at all, we do not mean to contemn certain books entitled The Art of loving God ; * for these books themselves teach that there is no other art than to set ourselves to the work of loving Him — that is to say, to apply ourselves to the practice of those things which are pleasing to Him. This is the only means of finding and acquiring that holy love, provided that this practice is undertaken in simplicity, without trouble or solicitude. Simplicity embraces, indeed, all the means which are prescribed to each of us, according to his vocation, for acquiring the love of God, so that it desires no other motive for acquiring or being incited to the quest after this love than itself. It would, otherwise, not be perfectly simple; for it cannot bear to concern itself about anything, however perfect, but the pure love of God, which is its single and only aim. For instance, if we are on our way to Office, and some one asks : " Where are you going ? " you will answer : "I am going to Office." " But why are you going to it ? " "I am going that I may praise God in it." " But why at this hour rather than at any other ? " " Because, the bell having rung, it would be remarked if I did not go." The reason for going to Office — namely, to praise God — is a very good one, but this added motive is not simple. Simplicity requires that we should go attracted by the desire of pleasing God, without any other consideration ; and the same in all things.

Now, before proceeding further, I must correct a mistake with regard to this virtue, which lurks in the minds of many. They think that simplicity is contrary to prudence, that the two virtues are opposed to one another. This is not so, for the virtues never clash with each other ; on the con- 2 1 6 Conference XII trary, they are bound together in the closest union. The virtue of simplicity is opposed and contrary to the vice of cunning, a vice which is the fruitful source of all manner of deceit, craftiness, and duplicity. Cunning includes deceits, deceptions, and malice, and it is through cunning that we find out how to deceive the mind of our neighbour, and of those with whom we come in contact, so as to lead them on to the point for which we are scheming. Now, this point is to convince them that we have no other feeling in our heart but what is manifested in our words, nor any other knowledge about the subject in question. This is a thing, absolutely contrary to simplicity, which requires that the interior should be wholly conformable to the exterior.

I do not, however, mean to say that in the case of our emotions, we ought to make an outward demonstration of passions which may be inwardly disturbing us ; for it is not, as some think, contrary to simplicity to show a calm exterior at such times. We must always discriminate between what affects our higher and what our lower nature. It is true that sometimes, on meeting with a reproof, or any kind of contradiction, we are inwardly much disturbed ; but this disturbance does not proceed from our will. All the trouble goes on in the lower part of our soul ; the higher does not consent to it at all, but approves, accepts, and values this reproof or contradiction. We have said that simplicity aims steadily at acquiring the love of God. Now, the love of God requires us to restrain our feelings, to mortify and to subdue them, and this is why it On Simplicity and Religious Prudence 2 1 7 does not require us to make any outward demonstration of them. It is, then, no want of simplicity to keep a calm exterior when we are inwardly moved and agitated. " But," you say, " should we not be deceiving those who see us, and who would believe us to be very virtuous, when we really are most unmortified ? " That reflection, my dear sister, as to what will be said or thought of you, is contrary to simplicity. This, as we have said, looks only to contenting God, not creatures at all, except in so far as the love of God requires it. After the simple soul has done any action which she considers that she ought to do, she thinks no more about it ; and if it should occur to her to wonder what will be said or thought of her, she checks the thought instantly, because she will suffer nothing to divert her from her one aim, namely, of dwelling on the thought of God alone, that she may love Him more and more. The consideration of creatures has no power to move her, for she refers all to the Creator.

So too it is with regard to another question which may be asked, namely, whether it is allowable to use our discretion about making known to our Superiors what we fancy may trouble them, or ourselves in telling them. Simplicity considers only whether it is expedient to say or do a thing, and then sets to work at once to do it [or not], without wasting time in debating the question, will the Superior, or shall I, be troubled or not if I tell some thought which I have entertained of him ? If it is expedient for me to tell it, I shall do so quite simply, leaving the result to God's good 2 1 8 Conference XII pleasure. When I have done my duty I shall not trouble about anything else.

We must not always fear trouble, either for ourselves or for others, so much, for trouble of itself is not sin. If I know that by going into certain society I shall expose myself to the risk of hearing something said to me which will trouble and disturb me, I ought not to avoid going into it ; but I ought to go, armed with confidence in the divine protection, certain that it will strengthen me so that I may overcome my own nature, against which I desire to make war. This conflict only goes on in the lower part of our soul. That is why we must not be at all astonished when it has no results. I mean, of course, when we do not consent to what it suggests, for in such a case we must avoid it. But whence, think you, comes this trouble, if not from a want of simplicity, and especially because we waste our time in conjecturing : "What will they say? what will they think?"

instead of thinking only of God and of what will render us more pleasing to His Goodness ? " But if I say such and such a thing, I shall be in more trouble than before I said it." Well, if you do not wish to say it, and if it is not necessary, seeing that you have no need of instruction upon it, make up your mind quickly and waste no time in considering whether you ought to say it or not. We are not meant to give an hour's consideration to all the small actions of our life. Moreover, it seems to me that it is better and more expedient, to tell the Superior the thoughts which mortify us the most, On Simplicity and Religious Prudence 2 1 9 rather than a number of others which are of no use except to prolong our interview with her. And if you are still in trouble, it is only because you are unmortified ; for why should I say what will be of no use to me, leaving out what might mortify me ? Simplicity, as we have already said, seeks nothing but the pure love of God, which is nowhere to be found so certainly as in self-mortification. In proportion to the growth of that mortification will be our nearer and nearer approach to the abode where we shall find His divine love. Moreover, Superiors ought to be perfect, or at least to do the works of the perfect, and so their ears are open to receive and to hear whatever we wish to tell them, without troubling themselves much about it. Simplicity does not meddle with what others are doing or will do; it thinks of itself. But even as regards itself it only dwells upon really necessary thoughts, and always turns quickly away from any others. This virtue has a close affinity to humility, which does not allow us to have a bad opinion of any one but of ourselves.

You ask how you must observe simplicity in But perhaps I am with a sister who is a little disposed to be melancholy, and takes no pleasure in my conversation, I being, on the contrary, in a cheerful mood and disposed to enjoy my recreation. Well, my daughter, there is nothing to trouble conversation and recreation. I reply: as in all other actions, although in this particular one there should be a holy freedom and frankness in conversing upon such subjects as serve to foster a spirit of joy and recreation. We should be quite unaffected in conversation, but at the same time not inconsiderate, for simplicity always follows the rule of the love of God. But should we happen to say some little thing which seems to us not to be received as we should wish, we must not on that account waste time in weighing and searching into all our words. No; it is indeed self-love, undoubtedly, which makes us inquire so closely whether our words and actions have been well received or not. Holy simplicity does not run after its words and actions, but leaves the result of them to divine Providence, on whom it absolutely depends. It turns neither to the right nor to the left, but simply pursues its path straight and direct. If in that path it meets with any opportunity of practising some particular virtue, it makes careful use of it as a means towards attaining its perfection, which is the love of God ; but it is not eager in seeking out those opportunities, though, at the same time, it about in that, for what would you do ? To-day she is serious or melancholy, and another time you will be the same ; at present you must make recreation for her and for yourself ; another time she will do the same for you. It would, indeed, be a nice thing if, having said some amusing words, we were to look round the room to see whether the sisters were laughing and approving of what we said, and if we saw some one who was not, we should begin to trouble about it, thinking that she did not like it, and was putting a bad interpretation upon it. Oh ! certainly we must not act in this way ; it is self-love that would urge us to make this investigation, and it would be contrary to simplicity. On Simplicity and Religious Prudence 2 2 1 does not despise them. It troubles about nothing, but remains modest and tranquil in its certainty that God knows its desire, which is to please Him ; that is enough.

"But how is it possible to reconcile two such contrary propositions? We are told, on the one hand, that we are to be most careful about our advancement in perfection, and, on the other, are forbidden to think about it at all ! " Please observe here the misery of human nature, which can never stop short at the golden mean, but, generally speaking, runs to extremes. This defect we inherit from our mother Eve, for she did much the same when the evil spirit tempted her to eat of the forbidden fruit ; she said that God had forbidden them to touch it,* instead of saying that He had forbidden them to eat it. You were never told not to think at all about your advancement, but that you were not to think about it anxiously.

We are also wanting in simplicity when, finding that we are committing faults against one another, we waste time in considering whether these are things which ought to be told to the Superior or not. Is not the Superior capable of deciding that, and also of judging whether or no the inferior jmrt of the soul ; the will rejects them, although they do not depart at its bidding. The acta of love which we perform towards those whom we dislike proceed from reason, which tells ua that we must mortify and overcome ourselves ; and although our feelings may be quite contrary to our words and actions, we are not on that account wanting in simplicity, for we disavow those feelings as foreign to us, which indeed they are. The folly of people in the world is- great, for they boast of having simplicity because they do not look pleasantly on their enemies, saying that they are frank and not deceitful. It is not wrong, either, to pretend not to wish to do something for which you really have a strong inclination, if your motive is to give confidence to a sister such as will enable her to satisfy herself by doing this thing, and to encourage yourself to practise self-mortification by depriving yourself of the opportunity of doing it. And even if you should desire very much to do it, the desire is, after all, only in the lower part of your soul, since in its higher part you certainly prefer your sister's consolation to your own. In fact, we must always and in all things remember that the productions of the lower and sensitive part of our soul do not enter, or ought not to enter, into our consideration any more than if we did not perceive them. Have we anything more to say about simplicity ? for a word must be said about prudence. But that shall be later, for only a little prudence is wanted, but a great deal of simplicity. reproof should be administered? "But," you say, "how do I know with what intention this sister did such and such a thing ? " Well, it may be that her intention was good, and there is never any need to accuse her on the ground of her intention, but only on that of her outward action, if there was imperfection in that. Do not say, either, that the matter is of little consequence — not worth getting the poor sister into trouble — for all that is contrary to simplicity. The Rule which commands us to bring about the amendment of our sisters by means of admonitions, does not insist upon our being as careful and giving as much thought to the matter as if the honour of the sisters depended on our accusation. We must make sure, and then wait for a suitable time for administering our reproof. To give it on the spot is a little dangerous. Beyond that, we must do in all simplicity whatever God requires us to do, and that without scruple. For although the person you admonish may be very angry and troubled by what you say, it is not you who are to blame for her disturbance, but her own want of mortification. And though she may commit some fault at the moment, the admonition will be the cause of her avoiding many others which she would have fallen into if she had persevered in the line of conduct for which she was reproved. The Superior must never refrain from reproving the sisters because they dislike a reproof. Probably, as long as we live we shall dislike it, inasmuch as it is wholly contrary to the nature of man to love to be abased and reprimanded. This aversion, however, ought not to be fostered and encouraged by our will, which ought to love humiliation. You wish me to say a word to you as to the simplicity with which we ought to allow ourselves to be guided in our spiritual life, by God and by our Superiors. There are souls who say that they are unwilling to be guided except by the Spirit of God, and who fancy that all their imaginations are inspirations and movements of the Holy Ghost, Who takes them by the hand and guides them in all that they wish to do like children. In this assuredly they deceive themselves very greatly. For was there ever a more special vocation than that of St. Paul, in which Our Lord Himself spoke to him in order to convert him, and yet He would not instruct him, but sent him to Ananias, saying : A rise and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do* And although St. Paul might have said : " Lord, why wilt Thou not Thyself tell me what to do ? " he said nothing of the kind, but simply went and did as he was commanded. And we think ourselves more favoured by God than was St. Paul, believing that He desires to guide us Himself without the intervention of any creature ! For us, my dearest daughters, God's guidance is nothing but obedience, and all else is mere deception.

It is quite certain that we are not all led along the same road ; but, at the same time, it is not given to each of us to know for ourselves by what road God calls us. That knowledge belongs to our Superiors, who have God's light to enable them to see clearly. We must not say that they do not know us well, for we ought to believe that obedience and submission are always the true marks of good inspiration. Even if it happens that we get no consolation from the exercises prescribed for us, and find a great deal in others, we must remember that we cannot judge of the excellence of our actions from the consolation they procure for us. We must not be so much attached to self-satisfaction, for that would be valuing the blossoms and not the fruit. You derive more profit from what you do in accordance with the direction of your Superiors, than from following your own secret instincts. These, generally speaking, come only from self-love, which, under colour of well-doing, seeks for satisfaction in an empty self-esteem. It is, indeed, absolutely true that your well-being depends on your allowing yourself to be guided and governed by the Spirit of God without reserve. This is the aim of that true simplicity which Our Lord recommends so highly. Be ye simple as doves. He says to His Apostles ; but He does not stop there, saying also to them : Unless you become simple as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of My Father.* A child when very young is in a state of such simplicity that he has no knowledge at all but of his mother. He has one only love, which is for his mother ; and in that love one only aim and desire — his mother's breast; when he is upon that beloved breast, he wants nothing more. The soul which has attained perfect simplicity has only one love, which is for God. In this love it has one only aim — to rest upon the bosom of the heavenly Father, and there to abide like a loving child, leaving all care of self to that good Father ; anxious about nothing except to maintain this confidence ; not even disquieted by any desires for those virtues and graces which seem to it necessary. It is true that such a soul never neglects any good opportunity which it meets with on its way, but it does not hunt about eagerly for means of perfecting itself other than those which are prescribed. Now, what is the use of these disquieting, eager desires for virtues which there is no need for us to practise ? Gentleness, love of abjection, humility, sweet charity, cordiality towards our neighbour, and obedience are virtues the practice of which ought to be common to us all, and the more so because we have frequent occasions of practising them. But as for constancy, magnanimity, and similar virtues which we may never be required to practise, we certainly need not trouble ourselves about them ; we shall be none the less magnanimous or generous on that account.

You ask me how souls, attracted in prayer to this holy simplicity and absolute surrender of themselves to God, ought to conduct themselves in all their actions ? I reply that not only in prayer, but in the conduct of their whole life, they ought to walk invariably in a spirit of simplicity. They should abandon and submit their whole soul, their actions, and their successes to the good pleasure of God, by a love of perfect and entire confidence, relying wholly on the mercy and care of that eternal love which divine Providence has for them. For this end, let them keep their soul steadfastly in this path, without allowing it to waste its powers in continual self-inspection, for the purpose of seeing what they are doing or if they are satisfied. Alas ! our own satisfactions and consolations do not satisfy God ; they only feed that miserable love and care of ourselves which is quite independent of God and the thought of Him. Certainly children., whom Our Lord has told us should be our model of perfection, are, generally speaking, quite free from care, especially in the presence of their parents. They cling to them, without turning to consider their satisfactions or their consolations. These they presume in good faith, and enjoy in simplicity, without any curiosity whatever as to their causes or effects. Love occupies them sufficiently without anything else. Those whose one desire is to please the divine Lover, have neither inclination nor leisure to turn back upon themselves ; their minds tend continually in the direction whither love carries them.

This exercise of continual self-abandonment into the hands of God, comprehends the perfection of all other exercises in its absolute simplicity and purity ; and while God leaves us the use of it, we ought not to change it. Spiritual lovers, spouses of the heavenly King, do indeed from time to time contemplate themselves, as do the doves upon brooks of waters,* in order to see if they are adorned so as to please their Beloved. This is done by examinations of conscience, by which they cleanse, purify, and beautify themselves as well as they can, not in order to be perfect, not to satisfy themselves, not from a desire to make progress in virtue, but out of obedience to the Bridegroom — out of the reverence they have for Him, and the fervent desire which they have to please Him. Now, is not that a love pure, simple, and unalloyed, since they do not purify themselves in order to be pure, they do not adorn themselves in order to be beautiful, but only to please their Beloved ? So much so, that if ugliness were equally agreeable to Him, they would love it as much as beauty. And, indeed, these simple doves do not give a very lengthy or very anxious study to the work of cleansing and adorning, for the confidence which their love gives them of being greatly loved although unworthy — I mean the confidence that their love gives them in the love and goodness of their Beloved — deprives them of all anxiety and mistrust as to their not being beautiful enough. Besides, the desire to love, rather than to adorn and prepare themselves for love, takes away all anxious solicitude, and makes them contented with a faithful preparation, made with love and heartily.

\ To conclude this matter : St. Francis, sending his children out on their travels into desolate places, gave them this advice instead of money and provisions : Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee* I say the same to you, my dearest daughters : cast your hearts, your aspirations, your anxieties, and your affections upon the paternal bosom of God, and He will guide you. He will carry you whither His love would have you go. Let us hear and follow the voice of the divine Saviour, who, like the perfect Psalmist, pours forth the last strains of an undying love from the tree of the Cross : Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit. t After that has been said, my dearest daughters, what remains but to breathe forth our last breath and die of love, living no longer ourselves, but Jesus Christ living in us.j Then all the anxieties of our heart will cease — anxieties proceeding from desires suggested by self-love and by tenderness for ourselves, which makes us secretly so eager in the pursuit of our own satisfaction and perfection. Embarked, then, in the exercises of our vocation, carried along by the wind of this simple and loving confidence, without being aware, we shall make the very greatest progress ; without moving, we shall advance ; and without stirring from our place, we shall draw nearer and nearer to home, as do those who sail on the high seas with favourable winds. Then, too, every possible event and variety of accident which may happen will be received calmly and peacefully. For what is there that can disturb or move those who are in the hands of God and rest upon His bosom — those who have abandoned themselves to His love and have resigned themselves to His good pleasure ? Whatever may happen, without wasting time in philosophising upon the causes, reasons, and motives of events, they utter from their heart the holy acquiescence of Our Saviour: Yea, Father, for so hath it seemed good in Thy sight* Then we shall be all steeped, as it were, in sweetness and gentleness towards our sisters and our neighbours in general, for we shall look upon all these souls as resting in the Heart of our Saviour. Alas ! they who regard their neighbour in any other way run the risk of not loving him with purity, constancy, or with impartiality. But beholding him in that divine resting-place, who would not love him, bear with him, and be patient with his imperfections ? Who would find him irritating or troublesome ? Well, my dear daughters, your neighbour is there, in the Heart of the Saviour, there, as so beloved and so lovable that the divine Lover dies of love for him ! Then, again, the natural love of relationship, good manners, courtesy, affinity, sympathy, and kindliness will be purified and reduced to the perfect obedience of the all-pure love of the divine good pleasure. And, assuredly, the highest good, and the highest happiness of souls aspiring to perfection, should be to have no desire whatever to be loved by creatures, except with that love of charity which makes us feel an affection for our neighbour, and for every one in his proper order, as Our Lord desires.

I observe that among animals those which display the most prudence (for there is a natural as well as a Christian prudence) are the most cowardly and timorous. The fox, who is so crafty and who makes use of so much cunning, is timorous ; the hare, who is so timid, uses so much prudence in order to escape from the do^s which pursue her, that sometimes they are baffled ; the ant possesses admirable prudence and foresight ; even deer, though they are not small animals, are still timorous, and also crafty and deceitful. But the lion, which is a generous animal, trusting in his own valour, goes on his way in the simplicity of his heart, and would quite as willingly go to sleep on the highroad as in his own den. Camels also are very simple, although they are so large and powerful that they could easily carry a house on their backs. Among small animals we have the dove and the lamb, whose simplicity makes them so especially lovable.

which may be given to this question, we now take the words of Our Lord, Be ye wise as serpents, which, when they are attacked, expose their whole bodies in order to preserve their heads. So too ought we to do, exposing ourselves and all that we have to danger when necessary, in order to preserve within us, safe and untouched, Our Lord and His love ; for He is our Head* and we are His members ; and that is the prudence which ought to be joined to our simplicity.

I tell you again that you must remember that there are two kinds of prudence — the natural and the supernatural. As for the natural, it must be thoroughly mortified as not being at all good, suggesting to us many considerations and much forethought which are quite unnecessary, and which keep our minds far from simplicity.

The true virtue of prudence ought to be really practised, the more so because it is like a spiritual salt which gives taste and savour to all the other virtues. But it ought to be practised in such a them, commanded a serpent of brass to be raised on a pole, and all who had been bitten by the serpents were instantly cured. Now, the brazen serpent, raised on that pole in the wilderness, represented none other than Our Lord and Master, Who was to be raised on Mount Calvary on the tree of the Cross, thus marvellously displaying the prudence of the serpent. For the serpent shows his prudence in various ways, and first in the fact that when he is growing old he strips himself of his old skin. Now, Our Lord did the same — that is to say, He stripped Himself of His own glory, for He was made, as St. Paul says, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Gentiles foolishness. But for us Christians He was made our edification and our most beloved Saviour, the sweet and only remedy for all our ills ; for, looking upon Him nailed and motionless upon the Cross, we cannot die, and there we find healing for all our wounds. . . . *Eph. iv. 15 ; Col. i. 18; 1 Cor. vi. 15.

manner by the Daughters of the Visitation, that the virtue of simple confidence shall surpass all the others. For they ought to have a perfectly simple confidence, which will make them repose in the arms of their heavenly Father, and of their dearest Mother, Our Lady, assured of the continual protection of that most loving care, since they are gathered together for the glory of God and the honour of the most Blessed Virgin. Blessed be God '