The life of someone religious should be filled with all virtues, so that inwardly he is the same as he outwardly seems to others. There should be much more inside than is seen outside because God is the one who sees our hearts. He is the one we should respect and revere above all, no matter where we are, and like the angels in his sight we should walk in this world. Every day we should renew our purpose, and kindle our hearts to warmth and devotion, as if each day were the first day of our conversion, and say, “Help me, God, in good purpose, and in your holy love, and grant me now today to begin perfectly, because there is nothing I have yet done.”
As goes our purpose, so goes our progress. If we desire good progress, it takes diligence. If someone who resolves strongly still falls short often, what about someone who rarely resolves, and not so strongly? There are so many ways where things depend on circumstances. A small lapse from our intentions still brings us some loss. The purpose of the upright depends more on the grace of God rather than their own patient endurance; for in Him they always trust, regardless of what they take in hand. For man proposes, but God disposes; and it is not in a man's power to direct his own steps.
If a spiritual exercise is sometimes skipped for the sake of some act of good, some fellowship or useful work, it can easily be recovered afterwards. But if a weary mind or neglect causes us to skip then it is a fault, and the omission will be felt. If we try to the best of our abilities, we will still see small shortcomings in many things. Always we should have a firm purpose, and focus especially on the things that give us the most trouble. Both outwardly and inwardly we should reflect on ourselves, and keep ourselves in order, because both will affect our progress.
If you aren't continually reflecting on yourself, set aside certain times, that is in the morning or evening. In the morning set your purpose, and in the evening reflect on what was done, how you have been that day in word, action, and thought. Review if in these things you may have offended God and those around you. If you are facing something wicked or diabolical then prepare yourself for a serious struggle, and show up as a warrior. Curb any appetite that is out of control starting with food and drink, and from there it will become easier to curb any physical appetite. Never be completely without something to do; you could be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or doing something that is useful for the common good. Bodily exercises, however, are to be done with discretion, and are not to be used equally by all.
Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.19 (first part, it's a long chapter to translate in one sitting).
Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art
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