List of points

Your heart weakens and you clutch at an earthly support. Very good: but take care that what you grasp to stop you from falling doesn't become a dead weight dragging you down, a chain enslaving you.

Tell me: is that… a friendship, or is it a fetter?

How clear the way! How easily seen the obstacles! What good weapons to overcome them!… — And nevertheless, what side-tracking and what stumbling! Isn't it true?

That fine thread — that chain: that chain of wrought iron — of which you and I are conscious and which you don't want to break, that is what draws you from your way and makes you stumble and even fall.

Why do you hesitate? — Cut it… and advance!

Say to your body: I would rather keep you in slavery than be myself a slave of yours.

In your interior life, have you slowly considered the beauty of 'serving' with ever-renewed willingness?

Free man, subject yourself to a voluntary servitude, so that Jesus won't have to say of you what we are told he said of others to Saint Teresa: 'Teresa, I wanted it… But men did not.'

An act of complete acceptance of the will of God: 'Is that what you want, Lord?… Then, it's what I want also!'