the third mortal sin--namely, hatred and envy; for compassion is a
wound of the heart, which makes us love all men, and can only work
healing in so far as some suffering lives in men; for God has
ordained that mourning and pain must precede all the other virtues.
This is why Christ said, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they
shall be comforted"--that is to say, when they shall reap in joy what
they now sow in compassion and sorrow.

ON GENEROSITY

FROM this compassion is born generosity, for no one can be
supernaturally generous, with faith in all men, and with love,
except the merciful man; though one many give to a particular
individual without charity, and without supernatural generosity.

Generosity is the copious outflow of a heart moved with charity and
pity. When a man considers with compassion the sufferings and pains
of Christ, from this compassion is born generosity, which excites us
to praise and thank Christ for His pains and for His love, at the
same time that it causes to be born in us respect and veneration,
and a joyous and humble submission of heart and soul, in time and in
eternity. When a man observes and pities himself, and considers the
good that God has done to him and his own weakness, he cannot help
flowing out into the liberality of God, taking refuge in His pity
and fidelity, and abandoning himself to God, with a free and perfect
wish to serve Him for ever. The generous man, who observes the
errors, the wanderings, and the injustice of men, desires and
implores the outflow of the divine gifts and the exercise of their
generosity on all men, that they may return to themselves and be
converted to the truth. The generous man considers also with