Chapter XXV. Of Poverty and the praise of her

Of Poverty

55. Placed in the vale of tears, that blessed father set at naught the common paltry wealth of the sons of men, and in his ambition to attain a more exalted height longed after Poverty with all his heart. Considering that she was the familiar friend of the Son of God, he strove in perpetual charity to espouse her, now that she was cast off by all the world. Therefore having become a lover of her beauty, in order that he might cleave yet closer to her as his wife, and that they two might be united in one spirit, not only did he leave his father and his mother, but even put all things from him. Therefore, he clasped her with chaste embraces, nor for an hour did he endure not to be her husband.

He would tell his sons that she was the way of perfection, that she was the pledge and earnest of eternal riches. No one was so greedy of gold as he of Poverty, no one more careful in guarding a treasure than he in guarding this pearl of the Gospel. Herein especially was his sight offended, if he saw in the brethren anything either at home or abroad contrary to poverty. Verily, he himself from the beginning of the Religion till his death was rich in a tunic only, a cord, and drawers, and had naught else. His poor habit showed where he was laying up his riches. Deriving hence gladness, confidence and freedom to run his course, he rejoiced in having exchanged perishable treasures for one a hundredfold greater.