Defects Contrary to Meekness
La Palma, A Treatise on the Particular Examen of Conscience, 1873, pp. 135–136
- First, to cherish resentment against persons whom we believe to have offended us; to talk of them willingly in a spirit of bitterness, to desire to revenge ourselves upon them, and to seek the occasions and the means thereof.
- Second, to abandon one's self to choler concerning those who have displeased or affronted us.
- Third, to manifest one's resentment either by offensive language, or by violent actions.
- Fourth, to blame too severely those whose faults we are obliged to correct, or to complain too sharply when we have occasion to be dissatisfied.
- Fifth, to look on the faults of others rather with indignation than with pity, and to be little disposed either to accept their excuses or to pardon their shortcomings.
- Sixth, to reprehend the failings of others with too much warmth, or with bitterness, or with pride.
- Seventh, to punish beyond what the offender deserves; for meekness would always make the punishment less than the offence.
- Eighth, to sustain our opinions with too much warmth or stubbornness, and with contempt of those of other people.
- Ninth, to treat others uncivilly or with bluntness or haughtiness.
- Tenth, to refuse harshly or indifferently those things which we can easily grant.
- Eleventh, to fail to express our sorrow when we cannot reasonably accede to the demands of others, and to soften the rigour of refusal by kindliness of manner.