He
strengthens in their soul the virtue of filial piety, which forms an
impregnable citadel around the heart, keeping it in perfect security
against the evil influences of wicked agents.
Your conduct in every detail ought to be discreet and grave in the
company of young men with whom you are unacquainted. If they speak to
you, answer them briefly modestly and with simplicity, but
fearlessly. Let it be your constant endeavor to converse on subjects
capable of interesting a serious mind; in this way you can better
divert their attention from frivolous topics, and prevent perhaps
indiscreet questions or rash intimacies.
It is well to advert to the fact that, in consequence of a
deteriorated faith and virtue among young men, in whom a bad
education has oftentimes destroyed the happiest dispositions; many
among them have lost that esteem, respect and veneration for woman so
prevalent in the Christian ages prior to ours. Such, unfortunately,
is the case in thousands of instances now-a-days; for when a young
man finds himself in company with a young lady his chief object is to
amuse himself with her, if his heart, already vitiated, does not
entertain desires more criminal still; he is unguarded in his
conversation, while displaying his talents, complimenting her for
qualities which he interiorly believes her devoid of.
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