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 duct is  much  more  exemplary."  Be  careful,  then,  not to  indulge  in  observing  the  defects  and  concerns  of others,  nor  to  imitate  the  example  of  those  who  go about  asking  what  others  say  of  them,  and  thus  fill their  minds  with  suspicions  and  their  hearts  with  bitterness and  aversions.  Listen  not  to  them  who  tell  you that  others  have  spoken  of  your  defects,  and  ask  not from  them  the  names  of  those  who  dispraised  you.  In such  tales  there  is,  in  general,  a  great  deal  of  exaggeration. Let  your  conduct  be  such  as  deserves  praise  from all,  but  regard  not  what  is  said  of  you.  When  told  that any  one  has  charged  you  with  a  certain  fault,  let  your answer  be  that  others  know  you  but  little;  and  that, were  they  aware  of  all  your  defects,  they  would  say  a great  deal  more  of  you;  or  you  may  say  that  only  God is to  be  your  judge.

II. When our  neighbor  is  visited  with  any  infirmity, loss, or  other  calamity,  charity  obliges  us  to  regret  his misfortune at  least  with  the  superior  will. I say  with the superior  will;  for  concupiscence  always  appears  to take  a  certain  delight  in  hearing  that  a  calamity  has  befallen an  enemy. But that  delight  is  not  culpable  as long  as  it  is  resisted  by  the  will. Whenever the  inferior appetite solicits  the  will  to  rejoice  at  the  misfortune  of others,  pay  no  more  attention  to  its  criminal  solicitations than  you  would  to  a  dog  that  barks  without  reason; but  endeavor  to  excite  in  the  superior  will  sentiments of  regret  at  their  distress. It is  indeed  sometimes lawful to  rejoice  at  the  good  effects  that  are  likely  to result  from  the  temporal  afflictions  of  others. For example, it  is  not  forbidden  to  be  glad  from  a  motive  of his  conversion,  or  of  the  cessation  of  scandal,  that  a  notorious and  obstinate  sinner  has  been  visited  with  sickness. However, should  he  have  offended  us,  the  joy occasioned by  his  infirmity  may  be  the  fruit  of  passion as well  as  of  zeal.