Abbatia
Sancti Petri
de Curte

The Sayings of the Elders (Verba seniorum, Book VII)

Whence the vices arise

Unde vitia oriuntur.

This book is not translated in the edition used; the Latin is given alone.

1

Sanctum Antonium requisivit frater: Quomodo Deus repromittit bona animæ per assiduitatem Scripturarum, et non vult anima in bonis permanere, sed declinat ad transitoria, caduca, et immunda? Respondit: Ad hoc jungitur quod Psalmista ait: Iniquitatem si conspexi in corde meo, non exaudiet Deus. Ignoras quod cum venter plenus fuerit esca, statim ebulliunt magna vitia, quæ Salvator noster per Evangelium prædixit: Non coinquinat, quod in os intrat, animam hominis; sed de corde exeunt, quæ in interitum demergunt hominem. Vide quid dixerit primum: Cogitationes malæ, homicidia, adulteria, fornicationes, furta, falsa testimonia, et blasphemiæ. Quia qui necdum gustavit dulcedinem cœlestium, ut ex toto corde exquirat Deum, ideo ad immunda revertitur. Quis poterit recte dicere? Ut jumentum factus sum apud te, et ego semper tecum.

Latin text: Verba seniorum, Book VII of the Vitae Patrum, translated from the Greek by Paschasius of Dumium for Abbot Martin (Martin of Braga), in H. Rosweyde’s edition as reprinted in Migne’s Patrologia Latina, vol. 73 (1879 reprint), cols. 1025–1062, checked against the scans; without the editor’s notes and cross-references, and without the Greek text of chapter XLIV printed in the notes. Public-domain text in France (art. L123-1 of the French Intellectual Property Code). Transcription and revision: Abbatia Sancti Petri de Curte. Report an error