It is commonly in the conduct and the life that those departures from the narrow way of godliness occur, by which souls that once seemed to bid fair for heaven are lost. The enemy finds it easier to inject actual impurity into the life of a Catholic than error into his belief. A shaken faith will lead the life astray, but a life going astray will often make a total shipwreck of the faith. Departure from godliness and purity in actual life is a mainstay of Satan's kingdom. A successful assault by that enemy on either side endangers all, but in the battle of life and work, conduct is more exposed to danger than profession. While erroneous doctrines are, like Saul, destroying their thousands, indulged lusts, like David, slay their ten thousands. Would that young men and women, in the place and hour of temptation, and in all large towns both are met with daily, might call to mind the apostle's words: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims to refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war against the soul. We are all travelling across time, toward eternity, and we have each, in his custody, the most precious of created things; his own soul. You may lose it, and you certainly endanger it, if you turn aside out of the narrow way of a godly and a Christian life. Stray not from the path, for the treasure you carry is of incalculably more value than any which the Australian diggers carry; who keep the known and proper road and the day-light, march in company, and close by the guard sent to protect them, for the country is wild, and robbers are around. My son (God says), keep my commandments, and thou shalt live, and my law as the apple of thy eye. The world is evil, and profligate men and women are everywhere around. Keep in Christ's Holy Catholic Church. Persevere in the way of watchful self-danger, and godly living, lest you lose your soul in the end, and mourn when the loss is irreparable.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp