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WHEREFORE the Christian athlete who strives lawfully in the spiritual
combat and desires to be crowned by the Lord, should endeavour by every
means to destroy this most fierce beast, which is destructive of all
virtues, knowing that as long as this remains in his breast he not only
will never be free from all kinds of evils, but even if he seems to have
any good qualities, will lose them by its malign influence. For no
structure (so to speak) of virtue can possibly be raised in our soul unless
first the foundations of true humility are laid in our heart, which being
securely laid may be able to bear the weight of perfection and love upon
them in such a way that, as we have said, we may first show to our brethren
true humility from the very bottom of our heart, in nothing acquiescing in
making them sad or in injuring them: and this we cannot possibly manage
unless true self-denial, which consists in stripping and depriving
ourselves of all our possessions, is implanted in us by the love of Christ.
Next the yoke of obedience and subjection must be taken up in simplicity of
heart without any pretence, so that, except for the commands of the Abbot,
no will of our own is alive in us. But this can only be ensured in the case
of one who considers himself not only dead to this world, but also unwise
and a fool; and performs without any discussion whatever is enjoined him by
his seniors, believing it to be divine and enjoined from heaven.
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