Strenthen me, O God, by the grace of thy holy Spirit.
Grant me to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and to empty my heart of all useless care and anguish; so that I be not drawn away with sundry desires of anything whatever, whether mean or precious, but that I look on all things as passing away, on myself also as soon to pass away with them.
For nothing abideth under the sun, where all things are vanity and vexation of spirit. O how wise is he that so considereth them!
O Lord, grant me heavenly wisdom, that I may learn above all things to seek and to find thee, above all things to enjoy and to love thee, and to think of all other things as they really are, according to thy wise ordering.
Grant me prudence to avoid him that flattereth me, and to endure patiently him that contradicteth me.
Because it is a great part of wisdom not to be moved with every wind of words, nor to give ear to an evil flatterer; for thus I shall walk securely in the way which I have begun.
[From Of the Imitation of Christ, Book II, Chapter XXVII, #4-5.]
