The soul of a woman is called to be expansive and open to all human beings;
it must be quiet, so that no small weak flame will be extinguished by stormy winds;
warm so as not to benumb fragile birds;
clear, so that no vermin will settle in dark corners and recesses;
self-contained, so that no invasions from without can imperil the inner life;
empty of self, in order that extraneous life may have no room in it;
mistress of itself and also of its body, so that the entire person is readily at the disposal of every call.
