Chapter VIII.
Of the practices in which the juniors are first
exercised that they may become proficient in overcoming all their
desires.
And
his anxiety and the chief
part of his instruction—through which the juniors brought to him
may be able in due course to mount to the greatest heights of
perfection—will be to teach him first to conquer his own wishes;
and, anxiously and diligently practising him in this, he will of set
purpose contrive to give him such orders as he knows to be contrary to
his liking; for, taught by many examples, they say that a monk, and
especially the younger ones, cannot bridle the desire of his
concupiscence unless he has first learnt by obedience to mortify his
wishes. And so they lay it down that the man who has not first learnt
to overcome his desires cannot possibly stamp out anger or sulkiness,
or the spirit of fornication; nor can he preserve true humility of
heart, or lasting unity with the brethren, or a stable and continuous
concord; nor remain for any length of time in the
monastery.