Mirror of the Honesty of Life

...be idle. Either read, or—which is certainly better—ruminate on the sacred scriptures by praying the psalms. Nevertheless, do not be idle, for that which has been enjoined to you must be done, so that the devil may never find you unoccupied; for idleness has taught many evils. Read those scriptures more willingly which especially inflame your devotion, rather than those which tax your intellect. Understand what I say; the Lord will give you understanding if you meditate in your sense upon the circumspection of God. And when you pray, do not fill the ears of those who hear with sobs and sighs, but attend to the Lord your God in the chamber of your heart. It will be helpful, however, for obtaining compunction if you are so removed that, while lifting up your pure hands, if you can also hear your own voice, you look toward heaven now and then to lift your intention where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. From prayer return to reading, and again, if reading should move boredom in you, provoke yourself to prayer. Avoid the company of young men, especially those who are beardless, as much as you can conveniently do so. Just as you would approach the cross, so approach food. Never fix your eyes on the face of anyone; never feed out of pleasure but out of necessity, and let hunger, not taste, provoke the appetite.