徹底認識一個人，才作朋友。 Know a man thoroughly before becoming his friend.

倘若開始時自己贊同， 亦會輕易贏得他人的贊同。 If you begin by winning your own approval, you will easily command that of others.

不要開展備受公眾觀察及評論的公共利益事項，除非預先看到讓事情圓滿成功的方法。 In particular, do not embark on affairs of public interest, which will be open to the observation and criticism of the many, unless you foresee a way of bringing them to a successful conclusion.

踏上德行之路，舊人必須克己， 但不要把新人置諸死地。 When taking the first steps on the road of virtue the old man must be mortified, but in such a way as not to slay the new man.

長上對待下屬，應使他們感到愉快、無憂及以平靜的心事奉天主。 A superior ought to treat his subjects in such a way that they may be cheerful, free from sadness, and serve God with a serene mind.

魔鬼為阻止我們行善，常作更好的建議： 然後提出新的困難及障礙，阻擋我們踐行。 To prevent us doing a good deed, the devil often suggests to us a better: then he raises fresh difficulties and obstacles to prevent our doing that.

出生、學識或聰敏過人者，應更自眨， 否則他們比卑微及未受教育者為害更甚。 Those who are specially remarkable for birth, learning, or wit ought to give themselves up more than ever to self-abnegation, or they will come to greater harm than the humble and unlearned.

應戒避善功及神業中的懈怠及不冷不熱，這是你最壞的敵人。 In your good works and holy exercises avoid all sloth and lukewarmness as your worst enemy.

為基督的緣故及近人的救贖而死， 沒有比這事更大的渴望或歡樂。 Nothing more desirable or gladsome can happen than to die for Christ’s sake and our neighbor’s salvation.

能控制心靈動態的人，十五分鐘默想所得，超過另一人做多個小時的祈禱。 A man who has control over the motions of his heart gains more by a quarter of an hour’s meditation than another does in many hours.