Quis sit fructus divinae lectionis.
The Purpose of Approaching Scripture
The reader is urged to discern the fruit of divine reading before pursuing it, since nothing should be sought without reason or real benefit.
Whoever comes to sacred reading to be instructed should first recognize what kind of fruit it bears. For nothing should be pursued without reason, nor does it draw our desires when it offers no real benefit.
The Twofold Fruit of Divine Reading
Divine reading yields a twofold fruit—knowledge that instructs the mind and moral formation that shapes character—and all Scripture is ordered to this end.
The fruit of sacred reading is twofold: it instructs the mind through knowledge, or it shapes character through moral formation. It teaches us what is delightful to know and what is worth putting into practice. Of these two, the first — knowledge — pertains more to history and allegory, while the second — moral instruction — pertains more to tropology. All sacred Scripture is directed toward this end.
Knowledge and Virtue Both Required
Though virtue is nobler than wisdom, more people pursue knowledge than moral goodness, yet both must be addressed since neither can be rejected.
Granted, it may be more fitting to be just than wise, yet I know that more people pursue knowledge in the study of sacred eloquence than pursue virtue. But since neither should be rejected and both are necessary, I'll address each in turn.
Turning First to Moral Formation
The author announces that he will first address the one who embraces the grace of moral formation.
And first, let me explain about the one who embraces the grace of moral formation.
Read the original Latin
Quisquis ad divinam lectionem erudiendus accesserit, primum qualis sit fructus eius agnoscat. nihil enim sine causa appeti debet, nec desideria trahit quod utilitatem non promittit. geminus est divinae lectionis fructus, quia mentem vel scientia erudit vel moribus ornat. docet quod scire delectet et quod imitari expediat. quorum alterum, id est, scientia, magis ad historiam et allegoriam, alterum, id est, instructio morum, ad tropologiam magis respicit. omnis divina Scriptura refertur ad hunc finem. sane, quamvis expediat magis iustum esse quam sapientem, scio tamen plures in studio sacri eloquii scientiam quaerere quam virtutem. ego autem, quoniam neutrum improbandum, sed utrumque necessarium et absolvam.
et primum quidem de eo, qui moralitatis gratiam amplectitur expediam.
Didascalicon de Studio Legendi (On the Study of Reading) companion
Hugh said begin with small daily portions. Start tomorrow.
Chosen Portion serves one short, ordered devotional reading each day — the medieval lectio pattern, free on iOS.
Hugh taught that formation comes from ordered, incremental daily reading, and Chosen Portion is that ordered daily portion delivered to your phone.
- A curated daily portion in 2-3 minutes, no decision fatigue about what to read
- Progress through complete historic works in order, the way Hugh prescribed
- Free app plus a weekly email unpacking one reading in depth