Ch. XIII § II. Instances of Lust

§ II. Instances of Lust.—(1) To banish far from oneself deeds of darkness and shamelessness. (2) To keep one's touch undefiled, even with one's own body; for a coal, when lighted, burns; when quenched, it blackens. (3) Not to touch another, either on the head, on the face, hands, clothes, whether in play, or friendship. The embraces given to new comers, and to those that are taking leave, should be unaffected, redolent of chastity. (4) As with the touch, so, too, must the eyes be averted from every nude and indecent representation; and where such may be met with, they must be held in check. (5) One should avoid familiarity with the opposite sex, by long conversations, letters, presents, by fixedly looking at them. In all these points, one should rigorously bind oneself never to be without a companion as a witness, and to report to the Superior when necessity requires.

(6) One must abstain from witty and trifling words, keep from books treating of lascivious matters.

(7) Every impure thought is to be at once stamped out like a spark; nor should we presume on our virtue, knowing full well that our flesh, like tow or gunpowder, readily catches the baleful flame. Lastly, one must not rest content with an ordinary degree of chastity, but should strive after an angelic purity, both of body and of mind.