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Longer Rules

St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925

Rule 16: Whether Continence is Necessary for the Man Who Would Lead a Religious Life (R.…

Clearly the rule of continence is necessary. In the first place the Apostle numbers it among the fruits of the Spirit.¹ Secondly, he says that through continence it comes to pass that our ministration is not blamed² — “in labours, in watchings, in fastings, in pureness.”³ And elsewhere: “In labour and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often.”⁴ And again: “Every man that striveth in the games is temperate in all things.”⁵ And the buffeting of the body and bringing of it into bondage is accomplished by nothing so much as by continence. For the ferment of youth and its inability to resist impulses is controlled by continence as by a bit in a horse’s mouth. For “delicate living is not seemly for a fool,”⁶ as Solomon says. But what is more foolish than a comfortable body and youth at the mercy of impulses? Wherefore the Apostle says: “And make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.”⁷ And, “she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.”⁸ And the example of the rich man’s luxury makes continence necessary for us, lest what was said to the rich man be said to us: “Thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things.”⁹

That incontinence is a fearful thing, the Apostle showed when he mentioned it among the characteristics of apostasy and said: “In the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self.”¹⁰ Then after enumerating various forms of vice he added, “slanderers, incontinent.” And Esau was accused of incontinence as the greatest of vices, since he sold his birthright for one meal. And the first disobedience came to man through incontinence. All the Saints were famous for continence. The life of all the Saints and holy men, and the example of the Lord Himself when He sojourned in the flesh, will help us in this respect. Moses received the Law as a result of long continence in fasting and prayer, and heard the words of God “as if a man spoke to his own friend.”¹¹ Elijah was deemed worthy of the vision of God at a time when he too had practised a similar measure of continence. And what of Daniel? How did he come to behold marvellous visions? Was it not after the twentieth day of his fast?¹² How did the Three Children quench the power of the fire? Was it not by continence? And John’s whole life was inaugurated by continence. Even the Lord began His appearance by this. In speaking of continence we mean not complete abstinence from food—for this entails a violent dissolution of life—but abstinence from pleasures practised with a view to destroying the mind of the flesh¹³ and achieving the end of godliness.¹⁴

To sum up, what things those who live by lust desire to enjoy, continence in respect of these is necessary for such as order their life with a view to godliness. The practice of godliness does not refer only to the pleasures of the table, but extends also to abstinence from everything that hinders religion. So that the strictly continent man will not master his stomach and be worsted by human ambition; he will not overcome base lust only, but will no longer be subject to wealth, nor any other unworthy passion, whether anger or dejection or any of the things by which untrained souls are naturally enslaved. For I should be inclined to say that what we see in regard to all commandments, that they are closely connected and that it is impossible for one to be observed in isolation apart from the others, is seen most of all in the case of continence. For he that is continent as regards reputation is humble; he that is continently disposed towards money fulfils the Gospel measure of poverty; he that is continent as regards wrath and anger has put away anger. The strict method of continence ordains limits for the tongue, boundaries for the eyes, and restraint in hearing for the ears; he who does not observe these is incontinent and intemperate. Dost thou see how round this one commandment all the commandments are grouped as in a chorus?

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