“Know, dearest daughter, that these mediocre souls are capable enough of reaching great perfection if they want to, for they are closer to it than are these other wretches. But in another way it is more difficult for them to rise above their imperfection than it is for the wicked to rise above their misery. And do you know why? Because the wicked see clearly that they are wrong; conscience makes it clear to them. Because of the selfishness that has debilitated them they do not make an effort to get out of this sinfulness, though they see by natural light that what they are doing is evil. So if anyone should ask them, ‘And is it not evil for you to do this?’ they will say, ‘Yes, but I am so weak that I do not think I can get out.’ Although they are not telling the truth (for with [God’s] help they can get out if they want to), at least they know they are doing wrong, and with that knowledge it is easy for them to get out if they want to. But these tepid souls who are doing neither great evil nor great good do not recognize how cold or imperiled they are. Because they do not recognize it they care neither to get up nor to be told. And if they are told, the coldness of their heart makes they stay bound up in their old habits.”
