Chapter VIII. Of the Hindrances to a right Discernment of Things, and of the course which we should take in order to Judge truly concerning them

OUR failure in judging of the things above mentioned, and of others, must be traced to the precipitancy with which at the first blush we regard them either with love or hatred; and thus, the understanding is blinded and hindered from taking a dispassionate view of them. Therefore, that we may not be in this way deceived, we must keep our will as much as possible in suspense and free from all inordinate affections.

When any object, then, is presented to you, view it with your understanding, and give it mature consideration before you conceive a hatred for it and reject it, if it is contrary to your natural inclinations; or, before you are inspired with a love for it, if it is agreeable to your taste.

For when the understanding, unclouded by passion, acts freely and clearly, it is able to detect the truth and to penetrate into the evil which is hidden under a fair appearance, and into the good which is veiled by a semblance of evil. Whereas, if the will is first inclined to love or hate any thing, the understanding afterwards cannot exercise a sound judgment upon it; because the affection, intervening between the object and the mind, prevents a just view of the object; and the understanding, giving back to the will this false representation, excites the will afresh to a love or hatred more vehement than before, in spite of every rule and law of reason.

By this affection the understanding becomes more and more darkened; and this darkness causes the object to seem more than ever desirable, or hateful to the will.

Therefore, unless the rule which has been laid down be observed (which is of the utmost importance), those two faculties—so noble and so excellent—the intellect and the will, will be made to act and re-act upon one another in a miserable circle, each in turn misleading the other, darkness producing thicker darkness, and error deeper error.

Guard yourself with the greatest care against any irregular affection; whatsoever the object which is presented to you may be, first examine it and test it by the light of the understanding, that you may discover its true nature, and especially by the light of grace and prayer, and with the guidance of your spiritual father.

And I would advise you to observe this most carefully in any outward works which are holy and of good report, for in such we are in greater danger of illusion and indiscretion, because they appear so good in themselves.

Some circumstance of time, place, or degree, or some fault as to obedience, may ruin the whole, as has been the case with many who have incurred great peril through the performance of actions in themselves praiseworthy and most holy.