“Ask yourself this question: Would you prefer something artificial to something genuine?

Ask yourself if you enjoy accepting substitutes instead of the real thing.

Ask yourself if you always enjoy second-best if you have the opportunity to enjoy the best.

Ask yourself, if given a chance, would you choose a true gem of great value over an imitation of little value?

Ask yourself, do you feel strength in Truth, or do you prefer something that is untrue but has less value for your health, your mind, your integrity, your honor, your self-esteem, your dignity, or your Soul?

Many times men flaunt substitutes, hoping to fool others, not realizing what a target they encourage regarding their dignity, safety, or moral values.

I am Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Many times since man first came to the earth, there have been great strides in seeking sound values, genuine, practical, responsible actions. And then there were times that mankind fell into an imitation of what was real, allowing themselves to be caught up in a fad, crazy dilemma of irrational, unreal behavioral encounters, actions, and ways of life, affecting a sound moral code of ethics, and of course, degrading to the Soul, putting the Soul, not in a defensive category, but as the victim of such change.

You live in a time such as this. So many men, women and children resist the soundness of having a Soul, and daily living is treated as a lark, always accenting the boredom of life or the hopelessness of life, instead of concentrating on the Purpose of life, Sainthood as the Goal. So be it.”