Chapter IX. Of his begging for food from door to door

14. From the time when he began to serve the common Lord of all he ever loved to do common things, avoiding in everything singularity, which is befouled with the blemish of every vice. And so while he was toiling at the work on the church concerning which he had received a command from Christ, and from being a very delicately nurtured man had become a hard-working peasant, the priest of the church, seeing that he was worn out by assiduous labour, was moved with pity, and began to supply him every day with some special food, though it was not dainty, because the priest was poor. But though Francis approved of the priest's discernment and welcomed his kindness, he said to himself, "Thou wilt not find this priest everywhere to supply thee always with such things. This is not the life of a man professing poverty; it is not good for thee to get accustomed to such treatment; by degrees thou wilt return to what thou hast despised; and wilt once more run after delicacies. Arise now quickly and beg from door to door for scraps of food." So he went from door to door in Assisi, begging for cooked victuals, and when he saw his bowl full of odds and ends he was at first filled with loathing; but then he thought of God, conquered himself, and ate the food with delight of spirit. Love softens all things and makes every sweet thing bitter.