彻底认识一个人，才作朋友。 Know a man thoroughly before becoming his friend.

倘若开始时自己赞同， 亦会轻易赢得他人的赞同。 If you begin by winning your own approval, you will easily command that of others.

不要开展备受公众观察及评论的公共利益事项，除非预先看到让事情圆满成功的方法。 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，旧人必须克己， 但不要把新人置诸死地。 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.

长上对待下属，应使他们感到愉快、无忧及以平静的心事奉天主。 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.

魔鬼为阻止我们行善，常作更好的建议： 然后提出新的困难及障碍，阻挡我们践行。 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、学识或聪敏过人者，应更自眨， 否则他们比卑微及未受教育者为害更甚。 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.

应戒避善功及神业中的懈怠及不冷不热，这是你最坏的敌人。 In your good works and holy exercises avoid all sloth and lukewarmness as your worst enemy.

为基督的缘故及近人的救赎而死， 没有比这事更大的渴望或欢乐。 Nothing more desirable or gladsome can happen than to die for Christ’s sake and our neighbor’s salvation.

能控制心灵动态的人，十五分钟默想所得，超过另一人做多个小时的祈祷。 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.