Week 4: Book One, Chapters XIII–XIX — Judgment, Charity, and the Religious Life

1.Chapter XIV opens: 'Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often erreth, and easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always laboureth to good purpose.' What practical difference would it make to your relationships if you redirected your judgmental energy entirely inward?

2.In Chapter XV, Thomas distinguishes true charity from what 'seemeth to be charity' but is 'rather carnality, because it springeth from natural inclination, self-will, hope of repayment, desire of gain.' How do you test your own charitable impulses? When have you been surprised to discover that something you thought was love was actually something self-serving?

3.Chapter XVI contains one of Thomas's most stinging observations: 'We will that others be straitly corrected, but we will not be corrected ourselves. The freedom of others displeaseth us, but we are dissatisfied that our own wishes shall be denied us.' Where do you see this double standard operating in your own life?