This book was originally written as an instruction to Pope Eugene III, who had once be Saint Bernard's subject. It is an excellent book on the spiritual life, especially for superiors. The advice is timeless and very useful for all Catholics. Saint Bernard asks: "What then is a hard heart? It is a heart which is not torn by remorse, nor softened by affection, nor moved by entreaties; which does not yield to threats, but is hardened by scourges. It is ungrateful for kindnesses, faithless in counsel, cruel in judgment, shameless in disgrace, without sense of fear in the midst of danger, inhuman...