Chapter CXXXIII. Of his compassion for the sick

175. Great was his compassion for the sick, and great his care for their needs. If ever the kindness of layfolk sent him electuaries he gave them to the other sick, though he needed them more than they. He entered into the feelings of all the sick, and gave them words of sympathy when he could not give words of help. He would himself eat on fast-days that the sick might not be ashamed to eat, nor was he ashamed of begging for meat through the streets of a town for a sick brother. Yet did he admonish the ailing to bear their wants patiently, and not to cause scandal by their discontent, though everything might not be done to their satisfaction. Accordingly in a certain Rule he caused these words to be written: M I beg all my sick brethren not to be angry or annoyed in their sicknesses either against God or against the brethren. Let them not be too eager in asking for remedies, nor long overmuch to deliver the flesh which must soon die and which is the soul's enemy. Let them give thanks for all things, so that they may desire to be such as God would have them to be. For those whom God has foreordained to life eternal he disciplines with the goads of scourging and sickness, even as He Himself has said ( I correct and chastise those whom I love'."

176. He once took into a vineyard a sick man whom he knew to be longing to eat grapes, and, sitting down under a vine, himself began to eat first, to encourage the other to eat.