John Tauler · 77 of 121

The third way of a poor, perfect life, when you contemplate God internally, is, that a man do not fly from what may kill him in spiritual things. · 64.

It might now be said, Could not an evil work be wrought from love, so that though the intention is to God, yet the work is evil? I say that all right works of love are good, and not evil. St. Paul saith this, that “divine love worketh no evil.” But many a man weeneth that he worketh from love when it is not love, therefore his works are ofttimes evil. For divine love is ordained according to a necessary aim, and when a man worketh works of love without order or necessity, love loseth its name, and a work lacking love taketh place. But such works are not entitled to reward; for Paul saith, “If I lack charity, I am nothing.” Therefore is it a great necessity that men should know how they should work works of love, and should let drop works lacking charity. Few men are found who know this art, to work the works of love in perfection.