Chapter XIII. The Pontiff is exhorted to shun Idleness, and to abstain from frivolous and useless words

The Wise Man prudently recommends us to " write wisdom in time of leisure " (Eccli. xxxviii. 25 ; juxta LXX). A time of leisure consequently is allowed thee. Nevertheless, thou must see to it that thy time of leisure is not a time of idleness. For idleness, the mother of frivolity and the step-mother of virtue, there ought to be no toleration at any time. Amongst laymen frivolous language is only frivolity : but it is blasphemy when it comes from the mouth of a priest. However, thou mayest sometimes have to listen with patience to frivolous conversation when carried on in thy presence ; still thou shouldst never take part in it. It ought rather to be thy care to stem the flow of pleasantry, yet prudently and cautiously. This thou wilt best accomplish by interjecting some such serious observations as shall be heard not only with profit, but with pleasure also, and so shall easily distract attention from the lighter topics. Thy lips have been consecrated to the Gospel of Christ. Therefore it is unlawful for thee now to use -' them for jesting, and a sacrilege to have them thus habitually employed. " The lips of the priest," says the Prophet, " shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the law at his mouth " (Malachias ii. 7). Observe that it is not jests or fables but the law of God that is v to besought from the mouth of a priest. With regard to scurrility, it is not enough to banish that from thy mouth : it must also be banished from thine ear. To allow thyself to laugh at such jokes would be a scandal ; but it would be a greater scandal to repeat them for the amusement of others. Lastly, as regards defamation : I find it hard to determine which is the more damnable crime — to utter detraction, or to listen to a detractor.

est, quod mens extra se sparsa confunditur, acies cordis obtunditur, lux divini amoris extinguitur, terror in alios et reverentia sacerdotalis amittitur, et quod periculosius est, recte vivendi linea, quae aliis ad exemplum proponenda fuerat, non tenetur. Quod si nos, vel pudore vel metu, in haec declinare contemnimus, mox inhumani, rigidi, et quos Hyrcanae genuerint tigres, saxei judicamur. Reprimo calamum, nam ut turpiores attexantur ineptiae, pudore suffundor."— (Translator.)

7o ON CONSIDERATION