Petrus Alphonsi

“ May God then who constrained me to write this little book and to translate it into Latin aid me in the undertaking. For when I wished to know by my own efforts the source of human life, I discovered that intellect was given to man by God for this purpose, that he might be zealous in the study of sacred philosophy as long as he lives; for by this he will gain more and better knowledge about his Creator and will strive to live temperately and know how to protect himself against threatening misfortunes ”

“ Moreover, I have considered that man's nature is weak, so that he must be assisted and instructed in a few things if he is not to fall into a state of utter weariness. He must also preserve his strength of mind, so that he may more easily remember the means by which his nature is to be softened and sweetened. ”

“ Ther is sum man whiche prevy and apert shevith hymsilf to be obedient vnto god, as that he be had holy among men and therfor of theym the more to be worshipped. Ther is another more subtile whiche levith and forsakith this Ipocresy, as that he may (f. 119) deserve to the more. Forsoth whan he fastith or any almesse doeth, and of hym be asked if he hath do, he aunswerith: 'God knowith or nat,' as in more reverence he be nat had; and it is saide non Ipocresy the whiche wil nat shewe his goode deede vnto men. ”