Chapter XXIII.
That idleness is the reason why there are not
monasteries for monks in the West.
Hence
it is that in these
countries we see no monasteries found with such numbers of brethren:
for they are not supported by the resources of their own labour in such
a way that they can remain in them continually; and if in some way or
other, through the liberality of another, there should be a sufficient
provision to supply them, yet love of ease and restlessness of heart
does not suffer them to continue long in the place. Whence this saying
has been handed down from the old fathers in Egypt: that a monk who
works is attacked by but one devil; but an idler is tormented by
countless spirits.