Twelfth Aspect:
He should bear in mind that his patience constitutes a verdict he pronounces upon his own soul—an act of subduing and overpowering it. Whenever the soul is thus subdued and vanquished, it can no longer aspire to enslave him, shackle him, or hurl him into ruin. But if he obeys it, listens to it, and becomes its captive, it will keep at him⦗9⦘ until it destroys him, unless⦗10⦘ a mercy from his Lord overtakes him.

Even if patience achieved nothing except the subjugation of his lower self and his devil, that alone would suffice. For then the sovereignty of the heart emerges, its forces stand firm, joy fills it, strength increases, and the enemy is driven away.