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BODILY weakness is no hindrance to purity of heart, if only so much
food is taken as the bodily weakness requires, and not what pleasure asks
for. It is easier to find men who altogether abstain from the more
fattening kinds of foods than men who make a moderate use of what is
allowed to our necessities; and men who deny themselves everything out of
love of continence than men who taking food on the plea of weakness
preserve the due measure of what is sufficient. For bodily weakness has
its glory of self-restraint, where though food is permitted to the failing
body, a man deprives himself of his refreshment. although he needs it, and
only indulges in just so much food as the strict judgment of temperance
decides to be sufficient for the necessities of life, and not what the
longing appetite asks for. The more delicate foods, as they conduce to
bodily health, so they need not destroy the purity of chastity, if they are
taken in moderation. For whatever strength is gained by partaking of
them is used up in the toil and waste of car. Wherefore as no state of life
can be deprived of the virtue of abstinence, so to none is the crown of
perfection denied.
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