It is true, we have to resist great temptations with invincible courage, and the victory which it brings is very profitable. But perhaps we may be able to gain greater profit resisting well small temptations. Just as the great temptations surpass the small in quality, so the small surpass the great very much in number. Hence, the victory over the small is comparable to that over the great.
Wolves and bears are obviously more dangerous than flies, but they are less annoying and do not try our patience so much. It is easy to refrain from murder, but it is difficult to refrain from little outbursts of anger for which opportunities arise at every moment. It is easy for a man or a woman to refrain from adultery but it is not easy to refrain from amorous glances, from giving and receiving flirtatious love, from soliciting little favours, from speaking or listening to words of flattery. It is easy to admit of no rival to the husband or wife as far as the body is concerned, but it is not easy to do so with regard to the heart. It is easy not to be unfaithful to one another in married love, but hard to refrain from everything that may be injurious to it. It is very easy not to steal the goods of others, but difficult to refrain form envy and covetousness. It is very easy not to bear false witness in a court of law but difficult not to tell lies in conversation. It is easy not to wish the death of another, but difficult never to wish him harm. It is easy never to slander a man, but difficult never to despise him.
In short, little temptations to anger, suspicion, jealousy, envy, flirtation, vanity, frivolity, duplicity, affectation, deceit, unchaste thoughts – these are the trails which even the most devout and resolute must constantly face. Therefore, Philothea, we have to prepare ourselves for this battle with great care and diligence. Be sure that, for all our victories over these little enemies, as many precious stones will be set in the crown of glory which God prepares for us in Heaven. Because of this, I repeat, while being ready to fight courageously against great temptations when they come, we must defend ourselves well and diligently against these little and feeble assaults.