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THE PEARL AMONG THE VIRTUES
abstain from those which are unlawful. Tame, afflict, torment your flesh, in order that it may trouble and torment you less. If temptations render it advisable, or if grace draw you, deprive yourself of all superfluities in eating, drinking, rest, and convenience. Do not mind the groans of rebellious nature. Treat your flesh as your greatest enemy; if you wish to have peace from your flesh, give it but little peace.
It is remarkable that those holy youths whose chastity was the most brilliant, were also particularly distinguished for the practice of the most severe mortifications; witness, SS. Benedict, Aloysius, Stanislaus. These saints went in quest of the
