age of ten the heart easily allows itself to be dazzled, and I own that this sort of life had some charms for me. Alas! how well the world contrives to reconcile the delights of earth with the service of God. How seldom does it think of death.
And death, nevertheless, has come to a great many of the people whom I then knew, young, rich and prosperous. I like to go back in thought to their beautiful dwellings, to ask myself where are they, and what benefit do they now draw from the castles and parks where I saw them enjoying all the comforts of life. . . . And I reflect that "all is vanity"[1] "but to love God and to serve Him alone."[2]
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IV
What compassion I have for souls
who are going astray. It is so easy to
lose one's way in the flowery paths of
the world. Undoubtedly for a soul
who has risen a little above the things of
