On the Duties of the Clergy, Book I

Book I

• On the Duties of the Clergy I.1 — A Bishop’s special office is to teach; St. Ambrose himself, however, has to learn in order that he may teach; or rather has to teach what he has not learnt; at any rate learning and teaching with himself must go on…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.2 — Manifold dangers are incurred by speaking; the remedy for which Scripture shows to consist in silence. Manifold dangers are incurred by speaking; the remedy for which Scripture shows to consist in silence. 5. Now…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.3 — Silence should not remain unbroken, nor should it arise from idleness. How heart and mouth must be guarded against inordinate affections. Silence should not remain unbroken, nor should it arise from idleness. How…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.4 — The same care must be taken that our speech proceed not from evil passions, but from good motives; for here it is that the devil is especially on the watch to catch us. 14. If any one takes heed to this, he will be…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.5 — We must guard also against a visible enemy when he incites us by silence; by the help of which alone we can escape from those greater than ourselves, and maintain that humility which we must display towards all. 17.…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.6 — In this matter we must imitate David's silence and humility, so as not even to seem deserving of harm. In this matter we must imitate David’s silence and humility, so as not even to seem deserving of harm. 21. What…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.7 — How admirably Ps. xxxix. [xxxviii.] takes the place of an introduction. Incited thereto by this psalm the saint determines to write on duties. He does this with more reason even than Cicero, who wrote on this subject…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.8 — The word “Duty” has been often used both by philosophers and in the holy Scriptures; from whence it is derived. The word “Duty” has been often used both by philosophers and in the holy Scriptures; from whence it is…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.9 — A duty is to be chosen from what is virtuous, and from what is useful, and also from the comparison of the two, one with the other; but nothing is recognized by Christians as virtuous or useful which is not helpful…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.10 — What is seemly is often found in the sacred writings long before it appears in the books of the philosophers. Pythagoras borrowed the law of his silence from David. David’s rule, however, is the best, for our first…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.11 — It is proved by the witness of Scripture that all duty is either “ordinary” or “perfect.” To which is added a word in praise of mercy, and an exhortation to practise it. 36. Every duty is either “ordinary” or…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.12 — To prevent any one from being checked in the exercise of mercy, he shows that God cares for human actions; and proves on the evidence of Job that all wicked men are unhappy in the very abundance of their wealth. 40.…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.13 — The ideas of those philosophers are refuted who deny to God the care of the whole world, or of any of its parts. The ideas of those philosophers are refuted who deny to God the care of the whole world, or of any of…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.14 — Nothing escapes God’s knowledge. This is proved by the witness of the Scriptures and the analogy of the sun, which, although created, yet by its light or heat enters into all things. 51. Next comes the answer to the…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.15 — Those who are dissatisfied with the fact that the good receive evil, and the evil good, are shown by the example of Lazarus, and on the authority of Paul, that punishments and rewards are reserved for a future life.…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.16 — To confirm what has been said above about rewards and punishments, he adds that it is not strange if there is no reward reserved for some in the future; for they do not labour here nor struggle. He goes on to say…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.17 — The duties of youth, and examples suitable to that age, are next put forth. 65. Since it has been made sufficiently plain that there will be punishment for wickedness and reward for virtue, let us proceed to speak of…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.18 — On the different functions of modesty. How it should qualify both speech and silence, accompany chastity, commend our prayers to God, govern our bodily motions; on which last point reference is made to two clerics in…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.19 — How should seemliness be represented by a speaker? Does beauty add anything to virtue, and, if so, how much? Lastly, what care should we take that nothing conceited or effeminate be seen in us? 81. It has given me…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.20 — If we are to preserve our modesty we must avoid fellowship with profligate men, also the banquets of strangers, and intercourse with women; our leisure time at home should be spent in pious and virtuous pursuits. 85.…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.21 — We must guard against anger, before it arises; if it has already arisen we must check and calm it, and if we cannot do this either, at least we should keep our tongue from abuse, so that our passions may be like…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.22 — On reflection and passion, and on observing propriety of speech, both in ordinary conversation and in holding discussions. On reflection and passion, and on observing propriety of speech, both in ordinary…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.23 — Jests, although at times they may be quite proper, should be altogether banished among clerics. The voice should be plain and frank. Jests, although at times they may be quite proper, should be altogether banished…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.24 — There are three things to be noticed in the actions of our life. First, our passions are to be controlled by our reason; next, we ought to observe a suitable moderation in our desires; and, lastly, everything ought…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.25 — A reason is given why this book did not open with a discussion of the above-mentioned virtues. It is also concisely pointed out that the same virtues existed in the ancient fathers. 116. Perhaps, as the different…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.26 — In investigating the truth the philosophers have broken through their own rules. Moses, however, showed himself more wise than they. The greater the dignity of wisdom, the more earnestly must we strive to gain it.…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.27 — The first source of duty is prudence, from whence spring three other virtues; and they cannot be separated or torn asunder, since they are mutually connected one with the other. 126. The first source of duty, then,…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.28 — A community rests upon justice and good-will. Two parts of the former, revenge and private possession, are not recognized by Christians. What the Stoics say about common property and mutual help has been borrowed…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.29 — Justice should be observed even in war and with enemies. This is proved by the example of Moses and Elisha. The ancient writers learnt in turn from the Hebrews to call their enemies by a gentler term. Lastly, the…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.30 — On kindness and its several parts, namely, good-will and liberality. How they are to be combined. What else is further needed for any one to show liberality in a praiseworthy manner. 143. Now we can go on to speak of…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.31 — A kindness received should be returned with a freer hand. This is shown by the example of the earth. A passage from Solomon about feasting is adduced to prove the same, and is expounded later in a spiritual sense.…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.32 — After saying what return must be made for the service of the above-mentioned feast, various reasons for repaying kindness are enumerated. Then he speaks in praise of good-will, on its results and its order. 165. It…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.33 — Good-will exists especially in the Church, and nourishes kindred virtues. 170. Good-will expands in the body of the Church, by fellowship in faith, by the bond of baptism, by kinship through grace received, by…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.34 — Some other advantages of goodwill are here enumerated. 173. Good-will also is wont to remove the sword of anger. It is also good-will that makes the wounds of a friend to be better than the willing kisses of an…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.35 — On fortitude. This is divided into two parts: as it concerns matters of war and matters at home. The first cannot be a virtue unless combined with justice and prudence. The other depends to a large extent upon…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.36 — One of the duties of fortitude is to keep the weak from receiving injury; another, to check the wrong motions of our own souls; a third, both to disregard humiliations, and to do what is right with an even mind. All…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.37 — An even mind should be preserved in adversity as well as in prosperity. However, evil things must be avoided. An even mind should be preserved in adversity as well as in prosperity. However, evil things must be…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.38 — We must strengthen the mind against troubles to come, and build it up by looking out for them beforehand. What difficulties there are in doing this. 188. But again, no one must retire through cowardice, or give up…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.39 — One must show fortitude in fighting against all vices, especially against avarice. Holy Job teaches this lesson. One must show fortitude in fighting against all vices, especially against avarice. Holy Job teaches…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.40 — Courage in war was not wanting in our forefathers, as is shown by the example of the men of old, especially by the glorious deed of Eleazar. Courage in war was not wanting in our forefathers, as is shown by the…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.41 — After praising Judas’ and Jonathan’s loftiness of mind, the constancy of the martyrs in their endurance of tortures, which is no small part of fortitude, is next brought before us. 209. But as fortitude is proved not…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.42 — The powers that be are not needlessly to be irritated. One must not lend one's ears to flattery. The powers that be are not needlessly to be irritated. One must not lend one’s ears to flattery. 217. I think we must…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.43 — On temperance and its chief parts, especially tranquillity of mind and moderation, care for what is virtuous, and reflection on what is seemly. 219. As we have spoken of three of the virtues, there remains but the…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.44 — Every one ought to apply himself to the duties suited to his character. Many, however, are hindered by following their fathers’ pursuits. Clerics act in a different way. 224. Each one knows his own powers. Therefore…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.45 — On what is noble and virtuous, and what the difference between them is, as stated both in the profane and sacred writers. On what is noble and virtuous, and what the difference between them is, as stated both in the…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.46 — A twofold division of what is seemly is given. Next it is shown that what is according to nature is virtuous, and what is otherwise must be looked on as shameful. This division is explained by examples. 231.…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.47 — What is seemly should always shine forth in our life. What passions, then, ought we to allow to come to a head, and which should we restrain? 234. If any one preserves an even tenor in the whole of life, and method…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.48 — The argument for restraining anger is given again. Then the three classes of those who receive wrongs are set forth; to the most perfect of which the Apostle and David are said to have attained. He takes the…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.49 — We must reserve the likeness of the virtues in ourselves. The likeness of the devil and of vice must be got rid of, and especially that of avarice; for this deprives us of liberty, and despoils those who are in the…vatican.va
• On the Duties of the Clergy I.50 — The Levites ought to be utterly free from all earthly desires. What their virtues should be on the Apostle’s own showing, and how great their purity must be. Also what their dignity and duty is, for the carrying out…vatican.va