Letter III. To a Man of the World

To speak too much is the worst kind of ill-speaking.

Sir, — You have greatly obliged me by taking my frankness in good part, though truly you could not well refuse it this gracious welcome, since it went to you with the safe-conduct of your invitation, and under the favour of a true friendship; otherwise I would have taken good care not to send it. I will by no means return upon the declaration it pleases you to make to me of your intention in the edition of the little book,* for I should be sorry if I had ever had a single little suspicion to the contrary: but I will only say this word which springs from the disposition of my soul.

If any one had spoken or written extravagantly of authority, he would be very wrong; for there is no way of bad speaking worse than too much speaking. If we say less than we should it is easy to add: but after having said too much it is hard to take off, and

• St. Francis had disapproved a book of which his correspondent was the author, or which had at least been published by his we can never make the withdrawal soon enough to hinder the harm of the excess.

Now, this is the height of virtue, to correct immoderation moderately. It is almost impossible to arrive at this point of perfection. I say almost, because of him who said, / was peaceful with those who hated peace* Otherwise, I think I should not have said it. Huntsmen push into the brambles, and often return more injured than the animal they intended to injure. The greater part of these ill-advised statements which are made or written are better met by disdain than by opposition; but let us speak of them no more. To Csesar what is Caesar's, but to God also what is God's.

I write to you without leisure, you will bear with, me, please, according to your kindness, having regard to my affection which is entirely inclined to honour and cherish you very specially. And now, I pray our Lord to fill you with the grace, peace, and sweetness of his holy spirit, and to give his sacred benediction to all your family; leaving beyond this, the bearer to tell you how well our daughter is, I am your, &c.