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 standpoint. As a rule, your natural advisers, given you by God, are your parents. But there are exceptional cases in which they rank among the evil counselors I have enumerated above; and in these instances their advice can not be relied upon.

8. Under all circumstances your best adviser is plainly your confessor. You ought not only to ask his advice, but faithfully to follow it. He knows you as no one can know you, except God alone; he knows your good and bad qualities and inclinations. Therefore do not, in your youthful folly, be influenced by the fear that his advice will not coincide with your own wishes. Rather give thanks to God that you have at least one friend whose intentions are pure, whose motives are disinterested, and who will be able to prevent you from taking a false step. Consult your confessor and follow his advice; it will be for your good. The Holy Ghost refers to the priest, the confessor, when He exhorts you in the words I have quoted above: " Keep continually to a wise man, who possesseth the fear of the Lord."

he right choice of a state of life is certainly a great desideratum, since it is a matter of so much consequence in relation to