Growth of Passion

   An old man was once walking with a little boy. They came across four shrubs. The old man said to his youthful companion:

   "Pull up the least one."
   He obeyed with ease.
   "Now the next."
   He obeyed, but it did not come so easily.
   "And the third."
   It took all his strength to move its roots, but he succeeded.
   "Now the fourth."
   In vain the lad put forth all his strength. He only made the leaves tremble. He could not move the roots. They had gone strongly into the earth, and no effort could dislodge them.
   Then the wise old man said to the ardent youth:
   "This, my son, is just what happens with our passions. When they are young and weak one may by a little watchfulness over self and the help of a little self-denial easily tear them up, but if we let them cast their roots deep into our souls there is no human power can uproot them. For this reason, my child, watch well over the first movements of your soul and study by acts of virtue to keep your passions well in check."