Book ONE. Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul Book ONE. Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul
Chapter 1. Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth
Chapter 2. Having a Humble Opinion of Self
Chapter 3. The Doctrine of Truth
Chapter 5. Reading the Holy Scripture
Chapter 6. Unbridled Affections
Chapter 7. Avoiding False Hope and Pride
Chapter 8. Shunning Over-Familiarity
Chapter 9. Obedience and Subjection
Chapter 10. Avoiding Idle Talk
Chapter 11. Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection
Chapter 12. The Value of Adversity
Chapter 13. Resisting Temptation
Chapter 14. Avoiding Rash Judgment
Chapter 15. Works Done in Charity
Chapter 16. Bearing with the Faults of Others
Chapter 18. The Example Set Us by the Holy Fathers
Chapter 19. The Practices of a Good Religious
Chapter 20. The Love of Solitude and Silence
Chapter 22. Thoughts on the Misery of Man
Chapter 3. Goodness and Peace in Man
Chapter 4. Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose
Chapter 6. The Joy of a Good Conscience
Chapter 7. Loving Jesus Above All Things
Chapter 8. The Intimate Friendship of Jesus
Chapter 9. Wanting No Share in Comfort
Chapter 10. Appreciating God's Grace
Book THREE. Internal Consolation
Chapter 1. The Inward Conversation of Christ with the Faithful Soul
Chapter 2. Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of Words
Chapter 3. Listen Humbly to the Words of God. Many Do Not Heed Them
Chapter 4. We Must Walk Before God in Humility and Truth
Chapter 5. The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love
Chapter 6. The Proving of a True Lover
Chapter 7. Grace Must Be Hidden Under the Mantle of Humility
Chapter 8. Self-Abasement in the Sight of God
Chapter 9. All Things should be Referred to God as their Last End
Chapter 10. To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet
Chapter 11. The Longings of our Hearts Must be Examined and Moderated
Chapter 12. Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Concupiscence
Chapter 13. The Obedience of One Humbly Subject to the Example of Jesus Christ
Chapter 14. Consider the Hidden Judgments of God Lest You Become Proud of Your Own Good Deeds
Chapter 15. How One Should Feel and Speak on Every Desirable Thing
Chapter 16. True Comfort Is to Be Sought in God Alone
Chapter 17. All Our Care is to Be Placed in God
Chapter 18. Temporal Sufferings Should Be Borne Patiently, After the Example of Christ
Chapter 19. True Patience in Suffering
Chapter 20. Confessing Our Weakness in the Miseries of Life
Chapter 21. Above All Goods and All Gifts We Must Rest in God
Chapter 22. Remember the Innumerable Gifts of God
Chapter 23. Four Things Which Bring Great Peace
Chapter 24. Avoiding Curious Inquiry About the Lives of Others
Chapter 25. The Basis of Firm Peace of Heart and True Progress
Chapter 26. The Excellence of a Free Mind, Gained Through Prayer Rather Than By Study
Chapter 27. Self-Love is the Greatest Hindrance to the Highest Good
Chapter 28. Strength Against Slander
Chapter 29. How We Must Call Upon and Bless the Lord When Trouble Presses
Chapter 30. The Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in Regaining Grace
Chapter 31. To Find the Creator, Forsake All Creatures
Chapter 32. Self-Denial and the Renunciation of Evil Appetites
Chapter 33. Restlessness of Soul—Directing Our Final Intention Toward God
Chapter 34. God is Sweet Above All Things and in All Things to Those Who Love Him
Chapter 35. There is No Security from Temptation in This Life
Chapter 36. The Vain Judgments of Men
Chapter 37. Pure and Entire Resignation of Self to Obtain Freedom of Heart
Chapter 38. The Right Ordering of External Affairs; Recourse to God in Dangers
Chapter 39. A Man Should Not Be Unduly Solicitous About His Affairs
Chapter 40. Man Has No Good in Himself and Can Glory in Nothing
Chapter 41. Contempt for All Earthly Honor
Chapter 42. Peace is Not to Be Placed in Men
Chapter 43. Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge
Chapter 44. Do Not Be Concerned About Outward Things
Chapter 45. All Men Are Not to Be Believed, for It Is Easy to Err in Speech
Chapter 46. Trust in God Against Slander
Chapter 47. Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life
Chapter 48. The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of This Life
Chapter 49. The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle
Chapter 50. How a Desolate Person Ought to Commit Himself Into the Hands of God
Chapter 51. When We Cannot Attain to the Highest, We Must Practice the Humble Works
Chapter 53. God's Grace Is Not Given to the Earthly Minded
Chapter 54. The Different Motions of Nature and Grace
Chapter 55. The Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace
Chapter 56. We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross
Chapter 57. A Man Should Not Be Too Downcast When He Falls Into Defects
Chapter 58. High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of God Are Not to Be Scrutinized
Book FOUR. An Invitation to Holy Communion
Chapter 1. The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ
Chapter 2. God's Great Goodness and Love is Shown to Man in This Sacrament
Chapter 3. It Is Profitable to Receive Communion Often
Chapter 4. Many Blessings Are Given Those Who Receive Communion Worthily
Chapter 5. The Dignity of the Sacrament and of the Priesthood
Chapter 6. An Inquiry on the Proper Thing to Do Before Communion
Chapter 7. The Examination of Conscience and the Resolution to Amend
Chapter 8. The Offering of Christ on the Cross; Our Offering
Chapter 9. We Should Offer Ourselves and All That We Have to God, Praying for All
Chapter 10. Do Not Lightly Forego Holy Communion
Chapter 11. The Body of Christ and Sacred Scripture Are Most Necessary to a Faithful Soul
Chapter 12. The communicant Should Prepare Himself for Christ with Great Care
Chapter 13. With All Her Heart the Devout Soul Should Desire Union with Christ in the Sacrament
Chapter 14. The Ardent Longing of Devout Men for the Body of Christ
Chapter 15. The Grace of Devotion is Acquired Through Humility and Self-Denial
Chapter 16. We Should Show Our Needs to Christ and Ask His Grace
Chapter 17. The Burning Love and Strong Desire to Receive Christ