Why take such and
such precautions? Why avoid such a place, such a person, such
company? Why renounce such and such amusements? Why neglect or cast
off that ornament? Why suffer this or that privation? Why abstain
from this action, which is not bad in itself? Why turn away the ear
from those praises, those compliments, dictated by usage or
etiquette, to keep up that intercourse without which society would be
impossible? Why not read this book, this novel? Why not assist at
this play which the most rigorous moralist would not condemn; and
which has for its object to inspire horror for vice, by placing
before our eyes its doleful consequences true to reality? Why
restrain to inaction the finest faculties of the soul, and refuse
them the aliment they so ardently crave? Why deprive our heart and
imagination of the pleasures which the beautiful inspires? Why not
form at an early age a taste for worldly beauty, and be possessed of
all the resources and advantages that it affords us during life? Why
be mistrustful of the mind and heart, at an age when they still
possess all their simplicity and freshness, through vain fear which
renders after-life almost intolerable? Why not be more confiding in
the heart's fidelity and in the goodness of God, who has not
condemned man to constant privations?--Such is the language that the
enemy of our eternal salvation and happiness addresses us every day
with such perfidious adroitness; and who, spite of the experience of
those whom he has already deceived, deceives us every day.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66