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Shorter Rules

St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925

Rule 140: If a Man Does Not Show Self-control as Regards Harmful Foods, But Partakes of…

Lack of self-control is clearly wicked and it is specially necessary to take measures for the healing of this vice. For God in His¹ A goodness, wishing to show how great an evil lack of self-control is, has often allowed the soul to fall into the vice of incontinence as regards what harms the body, on the chance that it may come to perceive the damage it has received through the bodily harm incurred by incontinence, and may be guided to complete continence. But to care for the body in the case of those who are suffering from the results of incontinence is reasonable and in accordance with kindness, but it should be done thoughtfully and not without examination, lest in caring for the body we leave the soul uncared for. So that if we see such a man as I have described properly disciplined by the care given to his body and with all his vices, caring for his soul, then let us apply the bodily care. But if he accepts the care for his body but is convicted of despising his soul, it is better that such a man be left in his pains which he endures as a result of his lack of control, until in course of time he come to perceive his own case and the risk of eternal punishment and return to caring for the health of his soul. For when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord lest we should be condemned with the world.”²

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