Duties of the Heart, Ninth Treatise on Abstinence 4/חובות הלבבות·שער תשיעי - שער הפרישות ד׳

1- The marks of special abstinenceThe marks of the special abstinence are as one of the pious declared:

2The [genuine] ascetic:

3* His joy is on his face, and his sorrow is in his heart.

4* His heart is exceedingly broad.

5* His soul is exceedingly lowly.

6* He does not bear a grudge.

7* He does not covet.

8* He does not speak negatively of anyone.

9* He does not discuss anyone.

10* He abhors being honored.

11* He hates dominion over others.

12* He is calm and collected.

13* He remembers well.

14* He admits the truth.

15* Has much shame.

16* Avoids damaging.

17* If he laughs, it will be little.

18* If he becomes angry, he will not be wrathful.

19* his laughter is a mere parting of the lips.

20* his asking is in learning.

21* His wisdom is extensive and his humility is great.

22* His resolve is strong.

23* He is neither hasty nor foolish in his actions.

24* His arguing is polite, his reply is courteous.

25* He acts righteously when angry.

26* He is compassionate when entreated.

27* His friendship is sincere.

28* His resolution is strong.

29* His covenant is faithful.

30* He desires in the judgment of the Creator.

31* He rules over his evil inclination.

32* He does not speak badly about one who harmed him.

33* He does not occupy himself with what is not useful.

34* He does not become joyful in the downfall of his enemy.

35* He does not remind to anyone a wrong which that person had done him.

36* He troubles others lightly but helps them much.

37* His gratitude is great at a time of bad.

38* His bearing is patient at a time of financial loss.

39* If he is asked from, he gives. If he is robbed, he will forgive.

40* If others refuse from him something, he will nevertheless volunteer.

41* If they keep him at a distance, he will nevertheless bring them close (be friendly to them).

42* he is softer than butter, sweeter than honey.

43* He exhorts others to adhere to the truth.

44* He speaks righteously.

45* He relinquishes his desires, and looks forward to his final day.

46* What he says, he does.

47* He is wise.

48* He is energetic.

49* His soul is noble.

50* His covenant is agreeable.

51* He is powerful in the land.

52* He is free of all that is blameworthy.

53* He is a helper of the poor and a savior of the oppressed.

54* He does not expose what is hidden nor reveal a secret.

55* His troubles are many, but his complaints are few.

56* If he sees good, he will mention it, if he sees bad, he will cover it.

57* He is pleasing in his manners and pure in his heart.

58* His company is a joy, his absence, a cause for sorrow.

59* Wisdom purges him.

60* Humility has embellished him

61* He is a mentor to the wise.

62* He is a teacher to the ignorant.

63* Every act of others he considers purer than his.

64* Every person he considers more pure than himself.

65* He is aware of his own lacking.

66* He remembers his iniquity.

67* He loves G-d and chases to do His will.

68* He does not take revenge for any wrong done to him.

69* He does not keep his anger long.

70* His company is with those that remind him [of his duty to G-d].

71* He sits with the humble.

72* He loves men of righteousness, and is faithful to men of truth.

73* He helps the poor, is a father to orphans and a protector to the widow, and shows respect to the needy.

74To these marks (of a true ascetic) should be added that he undertakes all the duties of the heart we mentioned earlier in this book and which I do not need to repeat them so that this treatise does not become too lengthy. Take note for yourself.