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And to go on in the order which we proposed, with our account of the
way in which the other passions act (our analysis of which was obliged to
be interrupted by this account of gluttony and of the Lord's temptation)
vainglory and pride can be consummated even without the slightest
assistance from the body. For in what way do those passions need any action
of the flesh, which bring ample destruction on the soul they take captive
simply by its assent and wish to gain praise and glory from men? Or what
act on the part of the body was there in that pride of old in the case of
the above mentioned Lucifer; as he only conceived it in his heart and mind,
as the prophet tells us: "Who saidst in thine heart: I will ascend into
heaven, I will set my throne above the stars of God. I will ascend above
the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most High." And just as
he had no one to stir him up to this pride, so his thoughts alone were the
authors of the sin when complete and of his eternal fall; especially as no
exercise of the dominion at which he aimed followed.
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