Caput XXIII. Castitatis dispendium in mensa timendum, et in colloquiis.

Guarding Virginity in All Things

The recluse is urged to direct her whole soul to the protection of chastity in eating, drinking, sleeping, and speaking, lest indulgence strengthen the adversary and drive away grace.

And so, with this in mind, let her direct her whole soul toward the guarding of her virginity. Let her weigh her thoughts so that, hungering for the perfection of this virtue, she may count hunger as a delight and poverty as riches. In food, in drink, in sleep, in speech, let her always fear the loss of chastity, lest, if she yields more than is due to the flesh, she supply strength to the adversary and secretly nourish the enemy. Therefore, when sitting at the table, let her turn over in her mind the beauty of modesty, and sighing toward its perfection, let her disdain food, shudder at drink, and even what necessity or reason has judged must be taken, let her take with pain or shame, sometimes even with tears. If she has conversation with someone, let her always fear hearing something that would cloud even the slightest serenity of chastity; let her not doubt that she is to be deserted by grace if she utters even one word against what is proper.