You have made for us this law: that the effect of what comes to us from without should depend on what we are like within.

Thus no external misfortune will overcome us if we restrain the vices inside us.
No public disgrace will overwhelm us if we resist our own disgraceful desires.
No outward disturbance will daunt us if our intentions are pure.
No enemy can rob us of our peace if our hearts are fixed on You.
No one can do more harm to us than we do to ourselves; and as soon as we master ourselves, everything else loses its power to hurt us.
For this spiritual law, we give You thanks.

The Leonine Sacramentary
5th Century

In the Morning