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Book VI. On the Spirit of Fornication. We Have Thought Best to Omit Altogether the Translation of This Book · Book X. Of the Spirit of Accidie

Chapter IV

Page 464 of 1,144

How accidie hinders the mind from all contemplation of the virtues.

All the inconveniences of this disease are admirably expressed by David in a single verse, where he says, "My soul slept from weariness,"967 that is, from accidie. Quite rightly does he say, not that his body, but that his soul slept. For in truth the soul which is wounded by the shaft of this passion does sleep, as regards all contemplation of the virtues and insight of the spiritual senses.

Notes

  1. 967

    (cxix.) 28, where the LXX. has enustaxen he psuche mou apo akedias.

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Volume 11, ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace (1890–1900). Public domain. Text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.