"In the opinion of the world, a wise man is..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

St. Louis De Montfort’s words in “The Love of Eternal Wisdom”:

1. In the opinion of the world, a wise man is one with a keen eye to business; who knows how to turn everything to his personal profit without appearing to do so. He excels in the art of duplicity and well-concealed fraud without arousing suspicion. He thinks one thing and says or does another. Nothing concerning the graces and manners of the world is unknown to him. He accommodates himself to everyone to suit his own end, completely ignoring the honour and interests of God. He manages to make a secret but fatal reconciliation of truth and falsehood, of the gospel and the world, of virtue and sin, of Christ and Belial. He wishes to be considered an honest man but not a devout man, and most readily scorns, distorts and condemns devotions he does not personally approve of. In short, a man is worldly-wise who, following solely the lead of his senses and human reasoning, poses as a good Christian and a man of integrity, but makes little effort to please God or atone by penance for the sins he has committed against him.
2. The worldly man bases his conduct on personal honour, on "What will people say?", on convention, on high living, on self-interest, on ceremonious manners, and on witty conversation. These seven principles are the irreproachable supports on which, he believes, he can safely depend to enjoy a peaceful life. The world will canonise him for such virtues as courage, finesse, tactfulness, shrewdness, gallantry, politeness and good humour. It stigmatises as serious offences, insensitiveness, stupidity, poverty, boorishness and bigotry.
3. He obeys as faithfully as he can the commandments which the world gives him:
   You shall be well acquainted with the world. You shall be respectable. You shall be successful in business. You shall hold on to whatever is yours. You shall rise above your background. You shall make friends for yourself. You shall frequent fashionable society. You shall seek the good life. You shall not be a kill-joy. You shall not be singular, uncouth or over-pious.

Jesus Who is Eternal Wisdom says:

26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (Jn 14: 26-27)

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, Socrates, for your “heart”, letting us know you liked what St. Louis de Montfort had to say! May we all learn daily from the True Wisdom of the Saints as they learned it from Jesus. Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

 

[Peonies]

@MariaChristi
This passage from The Love of Eternal Wisdom is very profound. I really appreciate your posting it.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, Peonies, for your reply and for your appreciation of God’s work in St. Louis de Montfort!