When you stand before God, recall those who serve earthly authorities. Take the example of slaves before their masters when considering your position.

Recall your sinfulness and call upon God’s assistance.

Learn from the saints and ask for God’s grace in the fulfillment of any task.

Be not proud of God’s grace and do not succumb to lawlessness.

If you succeed in doing good, do not praise yourself above men. If you sin through ignorance, do not lose heart because you are a man. Boast not of your successes, and do not despair when you sin.

Actively strive for good and harbor an equal hatred for evil.

Do not pass judgment when you give advice, for you know not God’s mysteries.

It is better for you to be delivered to the sword than to succumb to anger. It is better to hide anger in the heart than to express it.

Do not indulge in empty chatter, and do not sit in places where passionate conversation is held. Seek not gratification in laughter and pleasure in jokes, that you might not become distracted.

Be not fond of gatherings teeming with crowds, for they engender confusion in the soul.

Avoid banquets, in order not to become a debaucher even in the absence of women.

Avoid delicacies, that you might not become passionate. Take care to bridle the flesh, that it might not plunge its rider — the mind — into danger.

Master your senses and protect them from corrosion by rust as a warrior protects his weapons.

Spend the better part of your time in seclusion, that you might be able to discern what is and is not beneficial for you when you are in the society of people.