"God is simple. Wherever you discover Christian simplicity,
walk with confidence, whereas they that use craftiness and duplicity
are in constant fear lest their cunning be detected, and lest in
consequence other people cease to have confidence in them. For my
part - as I can affirm - long experience has demonstrated to my
satisfaction, that a strong and practical faith, and a true spirit of
religion, are more commonly found among poor and simple people. God
is pleased to enrich them with fervent faith. They believe and relish
the words of everlasting life that Christ has left us in his gospel.
As a general rule, they hear illness patiently, privations, too, and
other afflictions. Such things they endure without murmuring or
complaining, except a little and rarely. Moreover, everyone feels an
attraction for persons who are simple and candid, persons who refuse
to employ cunning or deceit. They are popular because they act
ingenuously, and speak sincerely; their lips are ever in accord with
their hearts. They are esteemed and loved everywhere ...." (SV
XI, 50; XII, 171)
