Part 49

But while we proceed from the active life to the contemplative by way of generation, we return from the contemplative to the active by way of direction, in order, that is, that our active life may be directed by the contemplative; just in the same way as habits are generated by acts and then, as is said in the Ethics, when the habit is formed we act still more perfectly.

3. Lastly, things which accord with different characters do not seem to be necessarily related. But the active and contemplative life are suited to different characters; thus S. Gregory says: "It often happens that men who could have given themselves to peaceful contemplation of God have been burdened with external occupations and so have made shipwreck; while, on the contrary, men who could have lived well had they been occupied with human concerns, have been slain by the sword of their life of repose." Consequently the active life does not seem to precede the contemplative.

But those who are subject to the influx of their passions because of their natural eagerness in action, are for that very reason more suited for the active life, and this because of the restlessness of their temperament. Hence S. Gregory says: "Some are so restless that if they desist from work they suffer grievously, for the more free they are to think the worse interior tumults they have to endure." Some, on the contrary, have a natural purity of soul and a reposefulness which renders them fit for the contemplative life; if such men were to be applied wholly to the active life they would incur great loss. Hence S. Gregory says: "Some men are of so slothful a disposition that if they undertake any work they succumb at the very outset." But he adds: "Yet often love stirs up even slothful souls to work, and fear exercises a restraining influence on souls which suffer a disturbing influence in their contemplation." Hence even those who are more suited for the active life, may, by the exercise of it, be prepared for the contemplative; and, on the contrary, those who are more suited for the contemplative life may profitably undertake the labours proper to the active life, that so they may be rendered still more fit for contemplation.

"I have cried to Thee, for Thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline Thy ear unto me, and hear my words. Show forth Thy wonderful mercies; Thou Who savest them that trust in Thee. From them that resist Thy right hand keep me, as the apple of Thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of Thy wings."

FOOTNOTES:

S. Luke x. 42.

Ethics, x. 7 and 8.

Moralia in Job, vi. 18.

Of the Words of the Lord, Sermon ciii., alias xxvi. 2.

S. Luke x. 41.

Of the Words of the Lord, Sermon civ., alias xxvii. 2.

S. Luke x. 42.

Sermon ciii., alias xxvi. 4.

Topica, III., ii. 21.

Ibid., III., i. 12.

Of the City of God, xix. 19.

ii. 1.

Exod. xix. 21.

Hom. III., On Ezechiel.

Of Consolation, v. 2.

Hom. III., On Ezechiel.

1 Cor. xii. 31.

Of the City of God, xix. 19.

Ps. xlvii. 9, 10, 15.

2 Cor. v. 15.

Ps. xxvi. 5.

Moralia in Job, vi. 18.

Of the City of God, xix. 19.