Men can do me no evil, if there is no wounded place within me.
I saw two caves, of which one gave back an echo, and the other was mute. And many curious children visited the first, and mischievously shouted back and forth with the cave. But from the second the visitors quickly turned away, for it answered them with no echo.
If my soul is wounded, every evil of the world will echo within her. And men will laugh at me, and will press upon me ever harder with their shouting.
But truly, evil-speaking men will do me no harm, if my tongue has forgotten to utter evil words.
Nor will malice from without grieve me, if there is no malice in my heart, to echo like a goatskin drum.
Nor will I be able to answer anger with anger, if the nest of anger within me has been emptied, and there is nothing left to waken.
Nor will the passions of men tickle me, if the passions within me have been turned to ashes.
Nor will the faithlessness of friends grieve me, if I have chosen Thee for my friend.
Nor will the injustice of the world be able to cast me down, if injustice has been driven out of my thoughts.
Nor will the deceitful spirits of worldly sweetness, honor, and power allure me, if my soul is like a most pure bride, who receives only the Holy Spirit.
Men can thrust no one into hell, unless he thrusts himself. Nor can men raise anyone up on their shoulders to the throne of God, unless he raises himself.
If my soul has no open windows, no mud can be cast into her.
Let all nature rise up against me — it can do nothing to me, except only this: to become all the sooner the grave of my body.
Every worldly crop is strewn with dung, that it may sprout the sooner and grow the better. If my soul, alas, has abandoned her virginity and received the seed of this world into herself, then she will have to receive also the dung that the world casts upon its field.
But I call upon Thee day and night: make Thy dwelling in my soul, and shut every entrance against my enemies. Make the cave of my soul empty and mute, that no one from the world may desire to enter her.
My soul, my only care, keep watch and discern the voices that strike against you. And when you know the voice of your Master, abandon your muteness and echo with all your strength.
My soul, cave of eternity, do not allow the robbers of time to enter you and kindle their fire within you. Be mute when they shout at you. Be motionless when they strike against you. And patiently await the Master of your house. Truly, He will come.