VII Civil goodness is not enough.

1 . We will not practice real self-denial unless we fulfill all the duties of love.

These are not fulfilled by him who merely in an external way performs his services without omitting even one, but by him who acts from a sincere principle of love.

For it may happen that a man discharges his duties to the rest of his abilities, but if his heart is not in them, he falls far from the mark.

There are people who are known to be very liberal, yet they never give without scolding or pride or even insolence.

We are sunk to such a depth of calamity in this awful age that scarcely any alms are given, at least by the majority of men, without haughtiness and contempt.

The corruption of our times is so enormous that it would not have been tolerated by the pagans.

2. Christians certainly ought to display more than a smiling face, a cheerful mood, and polite language when they practice charity.

First of all, Christians ought to imagine themselves in the place of the person who needs their help, and they ought to sympathize with him as though they themselves were suffering; they ought to show real mercy and humaneness and offer their assistance as readily as if it were for themselves.

Heartfelt pity will banish arrogance and reproach, and will prevent contempt and domineering over the poor and the needy.