"Charity does not deal perversely."
Perversity generally results from an overwhelming self-love. We all dislike children who seem to take pleasure in doing a thing just because it is opposed to the wishes or orders of those set over them. Those who are perverse may have clear motives set before them and may know that a certain course of action is their duty and in their interest; yet, they set that course of action aside for some folly of their own. In their hearts, they perceive the folly more clearly and would see it to be folly if they were not blinded by the deceptive mist of their own self-will. Is perversity an element that enters into my actions from time to time?
Opposed to perversity is docility in those who obey and reasonable conduct in those who have to act for themselves. How we love the docile! Even if we are not docile ourselves, others are dear to us if they can be easily guided. We also love reasonable men who take a common sense view of things and we renounce crotchety and misguided theories invented by unreasonable people. Even in the natural order, such men win our regard and esteem. We esteem them even more when they are influenced to it by the love of God.
Charity includes all possible reasonableness and docility. No one can ever accuse charity of eccentric action or of running counter to others unnecessarily. On the contrary, its great aim is to yield to others and to carry out their will as far as right reason will allow. Charity will give up what it thinks best to please another unless serious harm seems likely to result therefrom. Such pliability and consideration for the opinion of others is one of the marks of love of God as opposed to the pertinacity and perversity resulting from self-will. Am I perverse or run counter to others unnecessarily?
- text from Charity, Meditations for a Month by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ