22 (411). Concerning the Perfection of the Monastic Life
LETTERS
of the 'fourfold.' Pray do not think that we are writirig this because we are annoyed. I take pleasure even in your censures, since it is said that all things done by the beautiful take on an increase of beauty. Therefore, even grief and anger are becoming to them. At all events, one would more gladly see his beloved friend angry than another flattering.
So, never cease to bring such accusations. Without doubt, the charges themselves will be letters, than which nothing is dearer to me or gives me more pleasure.
22. Concerning the Perfection of the Monastic Lifel There are many things set forth in the divinely inspired
Scriptures which must be observed by those who are earnestly endeavoring to please God. But at this time I wish to explai~, necessarily briefly, as I understand them from the divinely inspired Scripture itself, only those points which have been questioned among you at present. I am therefore leaving behind me the easily comprehended evidence on each such point, so that those may take note who are engaged in reading and who also will be capable of informing others.
The Christian ought to think thoughts befitting his heavenly calling2 and to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ.3
The Christian should not exalt himself; nor be drawn away by anything from the remembrance of God and His will and judgments. The Christian, transcending in all things
1 This letter shows how completely St. Basil follows the Holy Scriptures in his ideal of the religious life. He here identified the monastic with the ideal Christian life. The date of the letter is probably 1I64.
2 Cf. Heb. !I.1.
!I Cf. Phil. 1.27.
4 Cf. Luke 12.29.
SAINT BASIL
righteousness merely according to law,5 ought neither to swear nor to lie. He must not speak evil,6 act despitefully, nor quarrel,7 nor avenge himself,s nor render evil for evil,9 nor give way to anger.10 He should be patient,ll enduring anything whatsoever, and should rebuke12 the evil-doer at an opportune moment, not indeed in a passion of personal vengeance, but with a desire of a brother's correction/ 3 according to the command of the Lord. He should say nothing against an absent brother with the intention of slandering him,H since, indeed, it is slander even if the remarks are true. He must turn away from the slanderer of his brother.15
The Christian should not engage in repartee,16 nor laugh, nor tolerate jestersY He must not indulge in idle conversations, talking of things which are neither for the benefit of those list~ning nor for any purpose that is necessary and permitted to us by God.1s Consequently, the laborers will strive to work as much as possible in silence, and they who have been entrusted, after due trial, with directing others for the upbuilding of their faith will stimulate the workers with good discourses in order that the Holy Spirit of God may
5 Cf. Matt. 5.20.
6 Cf. Titus 3.2.
7 Cf. 2 Tim. 2.24.
8 Cf. Rom. 12.19.
9 Cf. Rom. 12.17.
10 Cf. Matt. 5.22.
11 Cf. James 5.8.
12 Cf. Titus 2.15.
13 Cf. Matt. 18.15.
14 Cf. 1 Peter 2.1.
15 Cf. James 4.11.
16 Cf. Eph. 5.4.
17 'This charge is probahly founded on Luke 6.21 and 25, a~d James 4.~; Yet our Lord's promise that they who hunger and weep shall laugh admits of fulfillment in the kingdom of God on earth. Cheerfulness is a note of the Church, whose members, if sorrowful, are yet always rejoicing. (2 Cor. 6.10) '-Jackson.
18 Cf. Eph. 5.4.
LETTERS
not be grieved. Visitors should not freely approach or talk with any of the brothers before those who have been entrusted with the care of the general discipline have examined what before God is best for the common good. He ought not to be a slave to wine, nor passionately fond of meat,19 nor in general a lover of any food or drink, for everyone in a contest abstains from all things.20
No one should keep or reserw as his own anything that has been given to him for his use,21 but, devoting himself to the care of everything as belonging to the Lord, he should not neglect anything, even that which may have been cast asi.de or left uncared for. He should not be his own master, but should so think and act22 in all things as one handed over by God into servitude to his like-minded brethren; 'but each in his own turn.'23
The Christian should not murmur24 either because of the meagre care of his needs or because of fatiguing labors, since those entrusted with authority in these matters have the final decision over each. There should be no outburst, nor any angry demonstration or commotion,25 nor should there be any distraction of mind from the realization of the presence of God.26 The Christian ought to control his voice according to circumstances. He should neither give retort nor act boldly or contemptuously,27 but in everything show moderation28 and respect toward all.29 He should not wink his eye slyly,
19 Cf. Rom. 14.21.
20 1 Cor. 9.25.
21 Cf. Acts 4.32.
22 Cf. I Cor. 9.19.
23 I Cor. 15.23.
24 Cf. I Cor. 10.10.
25 Cf. Eph. 4.31.
26 Cf. Heb. 4.13.
27 Cf. Titus 3.2.
28 Cf. Phil. 4.5.
29 Cf. Rom. 2.10; 1 Peter 2.17.
SAI~T BASIL
nor use any other posture or gesture which grieves his brother or shows disdain.30
The Christian should not make a display of dress or shoes, as this is indeed idle ostentation.31 He should use inexpensive clothing for his bodily needs. He should not spend anything beyond actual necessity or for mere extravagance. This is an abuse. He should not seek honor nor lay claim to the first place.32 Each one ought to prefer all others to himself. 33
He ought not to be disobedient.34 He who is idle, although able to work, should not eat;35 moreover, he who is occupied with some task which is rightly intended for the glory of Christ ought to hold himself to a pursuit of work within his ability.36 Each one, with the approval of his superiors, should, with reason and certainty, so do everything, even to eating and drinking, as serving the glory of God.37 He should not change from one work to another without the approval of those who have been charged with the regulation of such matters, unless, perhaps, an unavoidable necessity should summon one unexpectedly to the aid of a helpless brother. Each one ought to remain at whatever work has been assigned him, without overstepping his own bounds to go on to tasks not prescribed, unless those entrusted with these matters judge that someone needs help. No one should be found going from one workshop to another. He should do nothing through rivalry or strife.
The Christian should not envy another's good repute, nor !l0 Cf. Rom. 14.10.
!II Cf. Matt. 6.29; Luke 12.27.
32 Cf Mark. 9.34.
!l3 Cf. Phil. 2.3.
34 Cf. Titus 1.10.
!l5 Cf. 2 Thess. 3.10.
!l6 Cf. 1 Thess. 4.1 1.
!l7 Cf. 1 Cor. 10.31.
LETTERS
rejoice at the faults of anyone.38 He must, in the love of Christ, be grieved and afflicted at the faults of his brother and rejoice at his virtuous deeds. 39 He should not be indifferent toward sinners, neither should he tolerate them in silence.4o He who reproves should do so with all compassion in fear of God and with the view of correcting the sinner.41
The one reproved or rebuked ought willingly to accept the correction, recognizing the benefit to himself. When one is accused, another ought not, before him or any others, to contradict the accuser. But, if at any time a charge should seem unreasonable to anyone, he ought in private to question the accuser and either convince him or be himself fully convinced.
Each one should conciliate, as far as he is able, anyone at variance with him. He should not hold past wrongs against the repentant sinner, but from his heart should pardon him.42
He who says that he repents of his sin should not only feel remorse for the sin which he has committed, but should also bring forth fruits befitting repentance. 43 If he who has been corrected for his first .sins and has been deemed worthy of pardon again falls, he prepares for himself a more wrathful judgment. 44 He who after the first and second admonition 45 remains in his fault should be reported to the superior, that perhaps he may be ashamed when further rebuked. But, if he does not even in this case correct himself, he must be cut off from the rest as a cause of scandal, and be looked upon 38 Cf. 1 Cor. 1 !l.6.
39 Cf. 1 Cor. 12.26.
40 Cf. 1 Tim. 5.20.
41 Cf. 2 Tim. 4.2.
42 Cf. 2 Cor. 2.7.
43 Cf. Luke !l.S.
44 Cf. Heb. 10.26.27.
45 Cf. Titus !l.lO.
SAINT BASIL
as a heathen and a publican,46 this for the safety of those zealous for obedience, according to the saying: 'When the impious fall, the just become fearful.'47 But, all must also mourn for him as if a limb had been cut off from the body.
The sun must not go down on the wrath of a brother,48 lest, perchance, the night of death come between the two and leave an inevitable charge for the day of judgment. He must not put off the time for his amendment,49 because there is no certainty concerning the morrow, and because many, planning, have not reached the morrow. He must not be deluded by a full stomach, which often produces nightmares. He must not engage in excessive toil, achieving beyond sufficiency, according to the words of the Apostle: 'But having food and sufficient clothing, with these let us be content,'50 because an abundance which exceeds the need presents an appearance of covetousness, but covetousness has the condemnation of idolatry.51 He must not be fond of money,52 nor treasure useless things which he does not need. He who draws nigh to God should welcome poverty in all things and be penetrated with the fear of God, according to him who said:
'Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear, for I am afraid of thy judgments.'53 The Lord grant that you may receive with full confidence what I have said, and for the glory of God show forth fruits worthy of the Spirit, according to the will of God and with the assistance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
46 Cf. Matt. 18.17.
47 Provo 29.16. The translation from the Latin Vulgate seems to be that of a somewhat different wording; S1. Basil followed the Greek Septua. gint.
48 Cf. Eph. 4.26.
49 Cf. Luke 12.40.
50 I Tim. 6.8.
51 Cf. Col. 3.5.
52 Cf. Mark 10.23.24; Luke 18.24.
53 Ps. 119.120.