Conferences I–X, Conference II

Conference II

• Conferences I–X II.1 — Abbot Moses' introduction on the grace of discretion. And so when we had enjoyed our morning sleep, when to our delight the dawn of light again shone upon us, and we had begun to ask once more for his promised talk,…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.2 — What discretion alone can give a monk; and a discourse of the blessed Antony on this subject. What discretion alone can give a monk; and a discourse of the blessed Antony on this subject. And so I remember that while…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.3 — Of the error of Saul and of Ahab, by which they were deceived through lack of discretion. Lastly, the man who in the judgment of God was the first to be worthy of the kingdom of His people Israel, because he was…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.4 — What is said of the value of discretion in Holy Scripture. Such is discretion, which is not only the “light of the body,” but also called the sun by the Apostle, as it said “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.5 — Of the death of the old man Heron. And to support this judgment delivered of old by the blessed Antony and the other fathers by a modern instance, as we promised to do, remember what you lately saw happen before your…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.6 — Of the destruction of two brethren for lack of discretion. What shall I say of those two brethren who lived beyond that desert of the Thebaid where once the blessed Antony dwelt, and, not being sufficiently…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.7 — Of an illusion into which another fell for lack of discretion. Why also should I speak of one (whose name we had rather not mention as he is still alive), who for a long while received a devil in the brightness of an…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.8 — Of the fall and deception of a monk of Mesopotamia. It is a long business too to tell the story of the deception of that monk of Mesopotamia, who observed an abstinence that could be imitated by but few in that…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.9 — A question about the acquirement of true discretion. To this Germanus: It has been fully and completely shown both by recent instances and by the decisions of the ancients how discretion is in some sense the fountain…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.10 — The answer how true discretion may be gained. Then Moses: True discretion, said he, is only secured by true humility. And of this humility the first proof is given by reserving everything (not only what you do but…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.11 — The words of Abbot Serapion on the decline of thoughts that are exposed to others, and also on the danger of self-confidence. The words of Abbot Serapion on the decline of thoughts that are exposed to others, and…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.12 — A confession of the modesty which made us ashamed to reveal our thoughts to the elders. Germanus: The ground of that hurtful modesty, through which we endeavour to hide bad thoughts, is especially owing to this…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.13 — The answer concerning the trampling down of shame, and the danger of one without contrition. The answer concerning the trampling down of shame, and the danger of one without contrition. Moses: Just as all young men…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.14 — Of the call of Samuel. Lastly so far has this opinion been shown to be pleasing to God that we see that this system not without reason finds a place in holy Scripture, so that the Lord would not of Himself instruct…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.15 — Of the call of the Apostle Paul. And when Christ in His own Person called and addressed Paul, although He might have opened out to him at once the way of perfection, yet He chose rather to direct him to Ananias and…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.16 — How to seek for discretion. We ought then with all our might to strive for the virtue of discretion by the power of humility, as it will keep us uninjured by either extreme, for there is an old saying ἀκρότητες…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.17 — On excessive fasts and vigils. For I remember that I had so often resisted the desire for food, that having abstained from taking any for two or three days, my mind was not troubled even by the recollection of any…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.18 — A question on the right measure of abstinence and refreshment. Germanus: What then is the measure of abstinence by keeping which with even balance we shall succeed in passing unharmed between the two extremes?vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.19 — Of the best plan for our daily food. Moses: On this matter we are aware that there have been frequent discussions among our Elders. For in discussing the abstinence of some who supported their lives continually on…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.20 — An objection on the ease of that abstinence in which a man is sustained by two biscuits. And this we gladly embraced, and answered that we should scarcely consider this limit as abstinence, as we could not possibly…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.21 — The answer concerning the value and measure of well-proved abstinence. Moses: If you want to test the force of this rule, keep to this limit continually, never departing from it by taking any cooked food even on…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.22 — What is the usual limit both of abstinence and of partaking food. But this is the usual limit of abstinence; viz., for everyone to allow himself food according to the requirements of his strength or bodily frame or…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.23 — Quemadmodum abundantia umorum genitalium castigetur. Nam quod semel per escarum abundantian concretus fuerit in medullis, necesse est egeri atque ab ipsa naturæ lege propelli, quæ exuberantiam cujuslibet umoris…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.24 — Of the difficulty of uniformity in eating; and of the gluttony of brother Benjamin. And so far is this not done without difficulty, that those who know nothing of perfect discretion would rather prolong their fasts…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.25 — A question how is it possible always to observe one and the same measure. Germanus: How then can we observe this measure without ever breaking it? for sometimes at the ninth hour when the Station fast is over,…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X II.26 — The answer how we should not exceed the proper measure of food. Moses: Both duties must be observed in the same way and with equal care: for we ought most scrupulously to preserve the proper allowance of food for the…vatican.va