Very often,
on the contrary, when, through want of due reflection, preference is
given to secondary and inferior things, by neglecting solid and
hidden virtues for brilliant qualities, neither are obtained. God
permits this in order to punish this subversion of the moral order
and of the laws that govern it.
CHAPTER IV.
THE DIGNITY OF WOMAN.
POPE ST. LEO, in one of his homilies on the nativity of our Saviour,
says, in addressing man: "O man, recognize thy dignity!" We might,
with all due propriety, address these same words to woman, for her
happiness and virtues depend in great measure on the elevated idea
that she has of herself, and on the care with which she maintains
this idea, both in her own mind and in that of others. Woe to the
woman who, through false modesty, or something still worse, has lost
self-respect, for she has deprived herself of her most powerful
safeguard against instability of character and seductions of the world.
Woman has received from God the sublime mission of fostering in
society the spirit of sacrifice and devotedness.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44