Section 19

“Therefore, children, let us hold firmly to our ascetic discipline and not become careless. In this the Lord works together with us, for it is written that ‘God works together for good with everyone who chooses the good.’

“To keep ourselves from negligence, it is helpful to remember the Apostle’s words: ‘I die daily.’ If we too live as though we were dying each day, we will not sin. This means that when we rise each morning, we should think that we may not remain alive until evening; and when we are about to lie down at night, we should think that we may not rise again. Our life is uncertain by nature, and Providence measures it out to us day by day.

“If we order our lives in this way each day, we will not fall into sin. We will not desire anything, harbor anger against anyone, or store up treasure on earth. Instead, because we expect death each day, we will be free from attachment to wealth and will forgive everyone everything. We will not hold on to desire for a woman or for any other shameful pleasure, but will turn away from it as something passing away. We will always be striving forward and keeping the day of judgment before our eyes. For the greater fear of judgment and of the danger of punishment destroys the ease of pleasure and sets upright the soul that is beginning to fall.