Imitation 3 289 verses
1“My Son, take it not sadly to heart, if any think ill of thee, and say of thee what thou art unwilling to hear.
2Thou oughtest to think worse of thyself, and to believe no man weaker than thyself.
3If thou walkest inwardly, thou wilt not weigh flying words above their value.
4It is no small prudence to keep silence in an evil time and to turn inwardly unto Me, and not to be troubled by human judgment.
5“Let not thy peace depend upon the word of men; for whether they judge well or ill of thee, thou art not therefore any other man than thyself.
6Where is true peace or true glory?
7Is it not in Me?
8And he who seeketh not to please men, nor feareth to displease, shall enjoy abundant peace.
9From inordinate love and vain fear ariseth all disquietude of heart, and all distraction of the senses.”
