How Simple And Frugal A Thing Is

When An Almond Tree Became Covered With Blossoms In The Heart Of Winter, All The Trees Around It Began To Jeer. 'what Vanity,' They Screamed, 'what Insolence! Just Think, It Believes It Can Bring Spring In This Way!' The Flowers Of The Almond Tree Blushed For Shame. 'forgive Me, My Sisters,' Said The Tree. 'i Swear I Did Not Want To Blossom, But Suddenly I Felt A Warm Springtime Breeze In My Heart.

This Book Was Not Written Because I Wanted To Offer A Supreme Model To The Man Who Struggles; I Wanted To Show Him That He Must Not Fear Pain, Temptation Or Death - Because All Three Can Be Conquered, All Three Have Already Been Conquered. Christ Suffered Pain, And Since Then Pain Has Been Sanctified. Temptation Fought Until The Very Last Moment To Lead Him Astray, And Temptation Was Defeated. Christ Died On The Cross, And At That Instant Death Was Vanquished Forever.

Life's True Face Is The Skull.

My Principle Anguish And The Source Of All My Joys And Sorrows From My Youth Onward Has Been The Incessant, Merciless Battle Between The Spirit And The Flesh.

What, Then Is Our Duty? It Is To Carefully Distinguish The Historic Moment In Which We Live And To Consciously Assign Our Small Energies To A Specific Battlefield. The More We Are In Phase With The Current Which Leads The Way, The More We Aid Man In His Difficult, Uncertain, Danger-fraught Ascent Toward Salvation.