BOOK X. OF THE SPIRIT OF ACCIDIE.



Index

CHAPTER I: How our sixth combat is against the spirit of accidie, and what its character is.

CHAPTER II: A description of accidie, and the way in which it creeps over the heart of a monk, and the injury it inflicts on the soul.

CHAPTER III: Of the different ways in which accidie overcomes a monk.

CHAPTER IV: How accidie hinders the mind from all contemplation of the virtues.

CHAPTER V: How the attack of accidie is twofold.

CHAPTER VI: How injurious are the effects of accidie.

CHAPTER VII: Testimonies from the Apostle concerning the spirit of acciie.

CHAPTER VIII: That he is sure to be restless who will not be content with the work of his own hands.

CHAPTER IX: That not the Apostle only, but those two who were with him laboured with their own hands.

CHAPTER X: That for this reason the Apostle laboured with his own hands, that he might set us an example of work.

CHAPTER XI: That he preached and taught men to work not only by his example, but also by his words.

CHAPTER XII: Of his saying: "If any will not work, neither shall he eat."

CHAPTER XIII: Of his saying: "We have heard that some among you walk disorderly."

CHAPTER XIV: How manual labour prevents many faults.

CHAPTER XV: How kindness should be shown even to the idle and careless.

CHAPTER XVI: How we ought to admonish those who go wrong, not out of hatred, but out of love.

CHAPTER XVII: Different passages in which the Apostle declares that we ought to work, or in which it is shown that he himself worked.

CHAPTER XVIII: That the Apostle wrought what he thought would be sufficient for him and for others who were with him.

CHAPTER XIX: How we should understand these words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

CHAPTER XX: Of a lazy brother who tried to persuade others to leave the monastery.

CHAPTER XXI: Different passages from the writings of Solomon against accidie.

CHAPTER XXII: How the brethren in Egypt work with their hands, not only to supply their own needs, but also to minister to those who are in prison.

CHAPTER XXIII: That idleness is the reason why there are not monasteries for monks in the West.

CHAPTER XXIV: Abbot Paul[8] who every year burnt with fire all the works of his hands.

CHAPTER XXV: The words of Abbot Moses which he said to me about the cure of accidie.