Various Acts of Mortification

La Palma, A Treatise on the Particular Examen of Conscience, 1873, pp. 139–140

I. To moderate our natural activity and zeal, even in regard to our best undertakings.
II. To relinquish any useless project, to the execution of which we feel strongly inclined; and to suspend our action, in case of a good and useful one, so that we may act from a fixed principle, rather than from a natural enthusiasm.
III. To deprive ourselves of some gratification, or of the satisfaction of curiosity concerning anything whatever, after the example of St. Francis Borgia, who, being very fond of hawking, often, from a spirit of mortification, deprived himself of the innocent pleasure of seeing the hawk seize his prey, by closing his eyes at the moment; in which action he imitated David, that great Saint and King, who overcome with thirst, mortified himself, and made a sacrifice to the Lord by pouring out upon the ground the water which had been obtained for him with great labour and danger.
IV. To restrain our anxiety to hear the news, and the common rumours of the day, particularly if they affect the good name of our neighbours.
V. To guard our eyes carefully, never allowing them to rest upon any dangerous or impure object.
VI. Not to indulge in raillery in conversation, however harmless or agreeable it may be—particularly with persons with whom we are not on perfectly good terms.
VII. To withhold at times a witticism which might raise our own reputation, and please the hearers, particularly if it would be uncharitable, or might encourage our vanity.
VIII. To behave kindly and politely towards those whom we dislike, or who have used us ill; and not to avoid meeting them.
IX. To avoid making complaints to persons in whom we confide, that we may relieve our hearts of their burden.
X. Not to complain of our food when it is not entirely to our liking, remembering that it is not,