De bonis moribus humilis monachi
The Sanctuary of the Cell
The monk is encouraged to flee worldly distractions and cultivate a humble, guarded heart within the peace of the cell.
Flee, my beloved, flee. Why? Because of the many dangers in the world that often befall those who live in it. For whoever longs to be free for God is happy to be alone, and he prays, studies, and writes; in this way, through many good exercises, he is guarded from the dangers of vice, spends his time fruitfully, and builds up others. But whoever likes to wander outside and desires to gossip here and there is rarely without staining his heart, and he returns to the cell—that friend of peace—less devout. Pious and modest speech is welcome to everyone; harsh and thoughtless speech offends friends. Whoever is truthful speaks the truth, and whoever deceives another with fake words will be hated. The truly humble person does not seek praise for good works, but ascribes all good to God and the bad to himself.1
The Ministry of Brotherly Love
Recognizing our shared humanity and grace, we are called to serve and instruct one another with gentleness and peace.
Whoever speaks lies with their mouth drives Christ from their heart; and whoever seeks high things confuses themselves and is rightly deceived. Whoever speaks plainly and rightly is honored and loved by everyone. We are all brothers, created by one God; we are all sinners, born of the same parents, but through the grace of Christ we are called to faith, baptized, cleansed, and united to Christ. Therefore, let no one despise another, let no one mock or harm anyone in any way; but rather, for God’s sake, let them help and instruct others as much as they are able, just as they would want done for themselves when they are in need. Whoever strengthens the weak in faith with sacred words offers the bread of heaven to the weary. Whoever comforts the sad offers the drink of life to the thirsty. Whoever calms the angry with gentle speech anoints the dog’s tongue with a honeycomb, so that it doesn't harm anyone with harsh bites. Whoever makes the unruly keep silent generates great peace among devout brothers.
The Exaltation of the Humble
True wisdom is found in humility, which secures grace and protects the soul from the snares of the devil.
Anyone who puts themselves above others shows their own foolishness and deserves to be ashamed. Anyone who humbles themselves in all things earns greater grace and glory. A pious and humble person breaks the devil's snares through prayer and escapes, while the proud, in their vain boasting, falls into them and perishes. May pious Jesus always guard us and lead us to the joys of heaven.
Read the original Latin
Fuge dilecte mi fuge. Quare? Propter multa pericula mundi: quae saepe homini contingunt qui in saeculo conversatur. Nam qui Deo vacare appetit libenter solus est et orat, studet et scribit; et sic per multa bona exercitia a vitiorum periculis custoditur: et tempus suum fructuose expendit et alios aedificat. Qui autem libenter foris ambulat et hinc inde fabulari desiderat: raro est quin cor suum maculat et indevotior ad cellam pacis amicam redit. Sermo pius et modestus cunctis acceptus: durus et inconsideratus offendit amicos. Qui verax est vera loquitur: et qui fictis verbis alium decipit odietur. Verus humilis de bonis operibus laudes non quaerit: sed omnia bona Deo ascribit to et mala sibi.
Qui mendacium ore profert Christum a corde fugat: et qui alta quaerit se ipsum confundit et iuste decipitur. Qui plane et recte loquitur: ab omnibus honoratur et amatur. Omnes fratres sumus ab uno Deo creati; omnes peccatores ex parentibus nati sed per gratiam Christi ad fidem vocati et baptizati mundamur et Christo unimur. Nemo ergo alium contemnat, nemo derideat neque in aliquo laedat; sed potius propter Deum iuvet et instruat in quantum valet: sicut sibi ipsi fieri desiderat quando indiget. Qui ergo debilem in fide sacris verbis confortat: panem caeli languenti porrigit. Qui tristem consolatur: potum vitae sitienti propinat. Qui iracundum sermone blando mitigat; favo mellis linguam canis ungit: ne duris morsibus aliquem laedat. Qui dissolutum tacere facit: magnam pacem inter fratres devotos generat.
Qui aliis se praefert: stultum se ostendit et confusione dignum. Qui in omnibus se humiliat: gratiam ampliorem meretur et gloriam. Pius et humilis laqueos diaboli orando frangit et evadit: quos superbus vane gloriando incurrit et perit. A quibus pius Iesus nos semper custodiat: et ad caeli gaudia perducat.
Notes
- 1 ↩The Latin text contains a likely scribal error 'to' between 'ascribit' and 'et'. I have omitted it in translation to preserve the intended sense.
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
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- Complete both treatises in under two months at one chapter a day