On Protection
XLVII. On Protection
1. God protects men against sin
by means of <His> power, greatness and goodness,
when they bear good and great love towards Him.
2. He who entertains the worthy intention
of serving God, protects himself against evil,
for God preserves him from sin.
3. God has provided a good example
of how we may protect ourselves against sin,
insofar as He was crucified for man’s sake.
4. Man protects himself against thinking evil,
hearing evil and speaking evil,
when he gives his love to God.
5. Man protects himself against temptation
when he offers prayers to God
and asks forgiveness for his sins.
6. Proper nurture and proper punishment
protect man from the enemy (i.e. the devil)
and lead <him> to desire the public good.
7. Let he who wishes to be protected against evil,
love God more than anything else,
and let him be humble and courteous.
8. He who protects himself by means of faithfulness,
righteousness and truth,
protects himself better than does a man clad in armour.
9. Neither vainglory nor honours
cause a man to <act as> a champion
against wickedness and folly.
10. Virtue offers better protection
than does a lance or a shield,
since a fallen man is more easily raised thereby.