XLI. De ventris Ingluvie.

XLI. De ventris Ingluvie.

The fact that his belly is open signifies that the gap of the Devil is wide open for the devouring of souls, in which the image of man appears lying supine, as if in a cradle, which indicates the gluttony of the belly; for the Devil, first persuading men to voracity, entangles them more easily and thoroughly in other vices, because this, like ignorance, lies quietly through the appetite for gluttony, so that it may draw man away from the desires of paradise; for man was first seduced by food through serpent-like behavior. It has a cap on its head, like a helmet raised a bit higher, because gluttony lifts the will of men with empty power, while they vainly think they are filled with all good things when they indulge their appetites. She has white hair falling down to her shoulders under the same cap, because she flaunts the brightness of vanity with a show of strength, looking down on everyone without any sense of shame, nor does she want to be beneath anyone. Therefore, she is also dressed in a thin, white silk garment, because she is entangled in the pleasures of rich and delightful banquets. Draped in a cloak that resembles the color of that same serpent, it wraps itself around the width of desire in the diversity of vices, which the diabolical wickedness produces, to seduce people through the excess of food and drink; as has been said above, this same vice is declared in its own words. But through the examination of abstinence, one can resist it, and so that a person does not lead himself into this kind of mockery, he is warned.