Chapter Two - Concerning Distrust of Self

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa

- Without this virtue, we cannot expect to defeat our weakest passions

- We are too apt to overestimate our own abilities and to conclude falsely that we are of some importance

- This distrust of our own strength is a gift from Heaven, bestowed by God on those He loves.

- He expects that we will do everythng within our power to obtain it.

HOW TO OBTAIN DISTRUST OF SELF

1.) We must meditate upon our own weakness; we cannot, without Divine assistance, accomplish even the smallest good 

2.) We must beg of God, with great humility and fervor. Then let us cast ourselves at the feet of Our Lord and earnestly beg Him to grant our request. We must do this with firm confidence  that we will be heard if we patiently await the effect of our prayer.

3.) We must gradually accustom ourselves to distrust our own strength, to dread the illusions of our own mind, the strong tendency of our nature to sin, and the overwhelming number of enemies that surround us.

4.) As often as we commit a fault, we must examine ourselves in order to discover our vulnerable points. God permits us to fall only that we may gain a deeper insight into ourselves, that we may learn to despise ourselves as wretched creatures and to desire honestly to be disregarded by others.

- Whoever seeks to approach the eternal truth and fountain of all light must know himself thoroughly.

- Disgraceful and unforeseen debacles happen through God's permission that they may know their own weakness, and, by sad experience, learn not to rely on their own strength.

- He permits persons to sin more or less grievously in proportion to their pride.

- As often as you commit a fault, immediately strive to probe your inner consciousness; earnest beg our Lord to enlighten you, that you may see yourself as you are in His sight, and presume no more on your strength. Otherwise you will fall again into the same faults, or perhaps much greater ones to the eternal ruin of your soul.