The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

CHARITY: "But what reason did they give as to why they would not
come?”
CHRISTIAN: "Why, my wife was afraid of losing this world — and my
children were given to the foolish delights of youth! So by one thing or
another, I was forced to go on pilgrimage alone."
CHARITY: "Yes, but though you warned them — was the example of
your life a hindrance to them from going with you?"
CHRISTIAN: "Indeed, I cannot commend my life — for I am conscious
of my many failings. I know also, that by a hypocritical life, a man may
soon nullify all of his helpful reasonings with others. Yet this I can say, I
was very careful not to give them any just occasion of making them
averse to going on pilgrimage. They would tell me that I was too precise,
and that I denied myself many things for their sakes, in which they saw
nothing wrong. Also, I think I may say, that if what they saw in me
hindered them — it was my great caution in not wanting to sin against
God or others.”
CHARITY: "Indeed Cain hated his brother because his own works were
evil, and his brother's works were righteous. If your wife and children
have been offended with you for this, they thereby show themselves to
be implacable — and you have delivered your soul from their blood!”
Now I saw in my dream, that they thus sat talking together until supper
was ready. When they sat down to eat, the table was abundantly
furnished like a feast. All the talk at the table was about the Lord of the
hill — about what He had done, and why He did what He did, and also
why He had built that Palace.
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