How do so many other religious orders live? They are confined in the discipleship of the cloister: seldom going out, removed from the world, eating as the poorest, dressing rough, working much, talking little, watching long, rising early, prolonging their prayers, reading frequently, and in every way keeping discipline. Observe the monastic orders, the Carthusians and the Benedictines and the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns of different religions, rising up every night to sing to God. It would be shameful to sleep in and be lazy in such a holy work, where so many of the religious orders begin to rejoice in God.
Oh, if nothing else tied up our time, we could praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice! Oh, if you never needed to eat or drink or sleep, but could always praise God and give yourself to spiritual strength alone, you would be much happier than with the necessity of being servant to your body. I wish that these were not necessities, but only the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which sadly we taste too seldom.
When a man comes to this point that he seeks comfort from no creature, then for him God begins to be perfectly wise, then also he will be content in whatever circumstances. Then he will not rejoice over having plenty nor be sad over having little, but commits himself wholly and trustingly to God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing is born or dies, but all things live to Him and wholly serve Him.
Remember always how things end, and how time lost does not return. Without heartfelt dedication and diligence you will never acquire virtues. If you begin to turn lukewarm, things will begin to go ill with you. But if you give yourself to enthusiasm you will find great peace, and you will feel lighter in your labor because of the grace of God and the love of virtue. A man who treasures virtue is ready for all things. It is harder work to resist sins and passions than to do manual labor. Whoever does not avoid small faults will slowly fall into greater ones. You will always be glad in the evening if you spent the day productively. Be mindful of your own progress, regardless of what others choose: do not neglect yourself. The progress you make will match the power of your effort. Amen.
(End of Book I)
Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.25 (third part).
Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art
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"It is harder work to resist sins and passions than to do manual labor."
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