Instructions of St. Lewis, King of France, to Philip his eldest Son

«My Son, before all things I recommend to you that you love God. Be always ready rather to suffer all manner of torment than to commit a mortal sin. When sickness or any other affliction befalls you, thank God for it, and bear it courageously, being persuaded that you deserve to suffer much more for having served God ill, and that such tribulations will be your gain. In prosperity give thanks to God with humility, and fear lest by pride you abuse God’s benefits, and so offend him by those very means, by which you ought particularly to improve yourself in his service. — Confess your sins frequently, and choose a wise and pious ghostly father, who will teach you what to follow, and what to shun; let him be one that will boldly reprehend you, and make you understand the grievousness of your faults. — Hear the divine office devoutly; meditate affectionately what you ask of God with your mouth; do this with more than ordinary application during the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, especially after the Consecration. — Be bountiful, compassionate, and courteous to the poor, relieve and favour them as much as you can. If any thing trouble your mind, reveal it to your ghostly father, or to some other grave and discreet person; for by the comfort you receive, you will bear it more patiently. Love to converse with pious persons; never admit any among your familiar friends but such as are virtuous and of good reputation; shun and banish from you the vicious. — Make it your delight to hear profitable sermons and discourses of piety. — Endeavour to gain the benefits promised in Indulgences, and to get the prayers of others. Love all good, and abhor all evil. Wherever you are, never suffer any one to detract or say any thing sinful in your presence. Punish all who speak ill of God or his Saints. Give often thanks to God for all his benefits. — In the administration of justice be upright and exact; hear patiently the complaints of the poor; and in all controversies, where your interests are concerned, stand for your adversary against yourself till the truth be certainly found out. — Whatever you find not to belong to you, restore it without delay to the owner if the case be clear; if doubtful, appoint prudent men to examine diligently into it. Endeavour to procure peace and justice to all your subjects. Protect the Clergy and Religious who pray for you and your kingdom. Follow the maxim of my grandfather King Philip, that it is sometimes better to dissemble certain things in Ecclesiastics than to repress them with to great violence and scandal. Love and honour the Queen your mother, and follow her counsels. — Make no war, especially, against Christians, without great cause and good advice. If necessity force you to it, let it be carried on without damage do those who are not in fault, and spare the innocent subjects of your enemy as much as possible. Use all your authority to hinder wars among your vassals. Be scrupulous in the choice of good judges and magistrates. — Have always great respect for the Church of Rome and for the Pope, and honour him as your spiritual Father. — Hinder, to the utmost of your power, all blasphemies, rash oaths, games of chance, drunkennes, and impurity. — Never be extravagant in your expenses, and never lay on your subjects heavy or unjust burdens. — After my death, take care to have a great many Masses and prayers said for me in all the Churches and religious Communities in France; and give me a share in all the good works which you shall do. — I give you my blessing with the most tender affection that any father can give it to a son, and I pray our Lord Jesus Christ to protect and strengthen you in his service, and always to increase his grace in you, that you may never do any thing against his holy will, and that he may be ever faithfully honoured and served by you. I beg the same grace for myself, that we may together see, laud, and honour him for all eternity.»