De bona societate quaerenda et mala cavenda
The Power of Holy Companionship
The author emphasizes that our spiritual character is shaped by those we choose to follow and imitate.
If you are with the holy, you will be holy; if you are with the perverse, you will be perverted. Pay close attention, brother beloved in Christ, so that you are not led astray by companions who are ill-willed, dissolute, or deceitful. Attach yourself to a brother who is virtuous, disciplined, and learned, from whom you can always hear a good, comforting word that is worth imitating. For just as a cold coal joined to a burning fire becomes hot and glowing, so a lukewarm person who associates with someone fervent and devout often becomes fervent, devout, learned, and well-mannered. In this way, the apostles, by clinging to Christ, became holy men filled with the Holy Spirit. In this way, Mark, by clinging to Saint Peter, became learned in the holy Gospel, which he heard from the mouth of blessed Peter with great joy. In this way, Timothy, by clinging to Saint Paul, became learned in the holy Scriptures from his earliest youth. Through him, as the grace of God progressed, he was later ordained bishop in Ephesus, being greatly beloved by him, just as an only son is by a most dear father.
Learning from the Saints
A series of historical examples demonstrates how mentorship and disciplined living foster spiritual growth.
In this way, Saint Polycarp, joined to Saint John the Apostle, became a fervent preacher of the faith to the people and a renowned martyr alongside Saint Ignatius. In this way, our most blessed father Augustine, instructed and baptized by Saint Ambrose the bishop, eventually became a glorious doctor of the holy Church, now famous throughout the whole world. In this way, the holy youth Maurus, clinging to Saint Benedict, became with God's help a holy abbot, renowned for his virtues and miracles. In this way, Bernard, beloved of God, by clinging to the venerable Abbot Stephen in the Cistercian monastery, became a light of religious life in his order, like a bright star shining in the heavens. There are many examples, both new and old, because good company benefits the soul's salvation, while harmful association damages it. Good reading helps; bad listening harms. Solitude with silence helps; worldly noise and aimless wandering harm. Therefore, either be alone, giving yourself to God, or be with a devout companion, talking about the virtues of Christ.
The Path of Humility
The chapter concludes by redirecting the reader from external curiosity to the internal work of self-examination.
Stop being so curious about high and lofty matters; focus instead on knowing your own faults and applying sound remedies to your sicknesses.
Read the original Latin
Cum sancto sanctus eris: et cum perverso perverteris. Attende diligenter, frater amande in Christo: ne seducaris a sociis malivolis dissolutis et mendosis. Iunge te fratri virtuoso disciplinato et erudito: a quo audias semper verbum bonum consolatorium et imitatione dignum. Sicut enim carbo frigidus coniunctus igni ardenti fit calidus et ardens sic tepidus socians se fervido et devoto: fit saepe fervidus et devotus, doctus et morigeratus. Sic apostoli adhaerentes Christo: facti sunt viri sancti repleti Spiritu sancto. Sic Marcus adhaerens sancto Petro fit eruditus in evangelio sancto: quod audivit ab ore beati Petri cum ingenti gaudio. Sic Timotheus adhaerens sancto Paulo: fit doctus in scripturis sanctis a iuventutis suae exordio. A quo postmodum proficiente Dei gratia ordinabatur episcopus in Epheso: multum praedilectus ab ipso, sicut filius unicus a patre carissimo.
Sic sanctus Polycarpus coniunctus sancto Iohanni apostolo: fit fervidus praedicator fidei in populo et inclitus martyr cum sancto Ignatio. Sic beatissimus pater noster Augustinus instructus ac baptizatus a sancto Ambrosio episcopo: fit tandem gloriosus doctor sanctae ecclesiae illustrissime iam nominatus in toto mundo. Sic sanctus iuvenis Maurus adhaerens sancto Benedicto: fit Deo iuvante postea abbas sanctus virtutibus et miraculis clarus. Sic Deo dilectus Bernardus adhaerens venerabili abbati Stephano in Cisterciensi monasterio; fit lumen religionis in ordine suo: et tamquam clarum sidus fulgens in caelo. Exempla sunt plurima tam nova quam vetera; quia prodest saluti animae societas bona: et nocet conventio prava. Prodest lectio bona: nocet auditio mala. Prodest solitudo cum silentio: nocet tumultus et vagus discursus in mundo. Aut igitur esto solus, Deo vacando: aut cum Socio devoto de Christi virtutibus conferendo.
Cave de altis rebus curiose quaerere; stude vitia tua cognoscere: et remedia sana morbis adhibere.
The Little Garden of Roses & The Valley of Lilies companion
Fourteen readings down. The other 39 chapters are waiting.
Chosen Portion serves the complete Little Garden and Valley of Lilies — plus the Imitation — as daily portions.
These treatises were composed as brief daily counsels for a community's rhythm of reading, and Chosen Portion delivers them the same way: one short chapter each morning.
- All 53 chapters of both treatises in modern readable English
- A new short reading delivered every morning, no deciding what's next
- Complete both treatises in under two months at one chapter a day