Even as vapours darken the air and allow not the bright sun to shine;
or as a mirror that is clouded over cannot receive within itself a clear image;
or as water defiled by mud reflects not the visage of one that looks therein;
even so the soul that is clouded by the desires is darkened in the understanding
and allows neither the sun of natural reason nor that of the supernatural Wisdom of God
to shine upon it and illumine it clearly.
(Book 1, Chapter 8, Paragraph 1)
the soul is wearied and fatigued by all its desires and by indulgence in them,
since they all cause it greater emptiness and hunger; for, as is often said,
desire is like the fire, which increases as wood is thrown upon it.
(Book 1, Chpater 6, Paragraph 6)
it is clear that the desires weary and fatigue the soul;
for they are like restless and discontented children,
who are ever demanding this or that from their mother, and are never contented.
And even as one that digs because he covets a treasure is wearied and fatigued,
even so is the soul wearied and fatigued in order to attain that which its desires demand of it;
and although in the end it may attain it, it is still weary, because it is never satisfied
(Book 1, Chapter 6, Paragraph 6)
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