Book one. Of the imitation of Christ, and contempt of all the vanities of the world -- Of thinking humbly of ourselves -- Of the doctrine of truth -- Of prudence in our actions -- Of reading the Holy Scriptures -- Of avoiding vain hopes and pride -- That too much familiarity is to be shunned -- Of avoiding superfluity of words -- The obtaining of peace, and zeal for improvement -- Of the usefulness of adversity -- Of avoiding rash judgment -- Of works done out of charity -- Of bearing with the defects of others -- Of the examples of the holy fathers -- Of the love of solitude and silence -- Of compunction of heart -- Of the meditation of death -- Of judgment and the punishment of sins -- Of the zealous amendment of our whole life-- Book two -- Book three -- Book four : An exhortation unto the holy communion.