VII. De cautela et gratia verborum ipsius

VII. De cautela et gratia verborum ipsius

He was extremely cautious and very gracious in his speech. He was especially careful to avoid coarse and vulgar language, particularly from slanderers and liars, and he rarely, if ever, spoke curses or insults to anyone, no matter how insignificant, unless a serious fault demanded it. Moreover, he completely refrained from any kind of swearing, no matter how customary or slight it might seem in conversation. Instead, to avoid other oaths, he would say: 'In my name.' Hearing that he was reproached by a certain religious man, he from then on completely abstained from swearing; but according to the Gospel, his speech was: 'Yes, yes; No, no.' In difficult matters and serious decisions, few or none judged more clearly and truly than he did; he knew how to express what he understood very wisely and gracefully. Indeed, grace was abundant on his lips, and like a truly wise person, he made himself lovable in his words, for his speech was always seasoned with the salt of grace. Moreover, he was exceedingly gracious, and he only inclined to love through sight and mere appearance, without being drawn to the affections of individuals.