The Book of Wisdom - Chapter 7

60. Were it not for the seeds of ambitious desire, the branches of disgrace would not be lofty.

61. Nothing leads you so much like suspicion.

62. In your despairing, you are a free man;
But in your coveting, you are a slave.

63. Whoever does not draw near to God as a result of the caresses of love is shackled to Him with the chains of misfortune.

64. Whoever is not thankful for graces runs the risk of losing them;
And whoever is thankful, fetters them with their own cords.

65. Be fearful lest the existence of His generosity toward you and the persistence of your bad behavior toward Him not lead you step by step to ruin.
“We shall lead them to ruin step by step from whence they know not.”

66. It is ignorance on the part of the novice to act improperly, and then, his punishment having been delayed, to say, “If this had been improper conduct, He would have shut off help and imposed exile.”
Help could be withdrawn from him without his being aware of it, if only by blocking its increase. And it could be that you are made to abide at a distance without your knowing it, if only by His leaving you to do as you like.

67. If you see a servant whom God has made to abide in the recitation of litanies and prolonged His help therein, do not disdain what his Lord has given him on the score that you do not detect the signs of Gnostics on him nor the splendor of God’s lovers. For had there been no inspiration, there would have been no litany.

68. God makes some people remain in the service of Him, and He singles out others to love Him. “All do we aid – these as well as those – out of the bounty of thy Lord, and the bounty of thy Lord is not limited.”