Chapter XI.
That bodily lusts are not extinguished except by the
entire rooting out of vice.
For
it is an impossibility that
the fiery motions of the body can be extinguished, before the
incentives of the other chief vices are utterly rooted out: concerning
which we will speak in their proper place, if God permits, separately,
in different books. But now we have to deal with Gluttony, that
is the desire of the palate, against which our first battle is. He then
will never be able to check the motions of a burning lust, who cannot
restrain the desires of the appetite. The chastity of the inner man is
shown by the perfection of this virtue. For you will never feel sure
that he can strive against the opposition of a stronger enemy, whom you
have seen overcome by weaker ones in a higher conflict. For of all
virtues the nature is but one and the same, although they appear to be
divided into many different kinds and names: just as there is but one
substance of gold, although it may seem to be distributed through many
different kinds of jewelry according to the skill of the goldsmith. And
so he is proved to possess no virtue perfectly, who is known to have
broken down in some part of them. For how can we believe that that man
has extinguished the burning heats of concupiscence (which are kindled
not only by bodily incitement but by vice of the mind), who could not
assuage the sharp stings of anger which break out from intemperance of
heart alone? Or how can we think that he has repressed the wanton
desires of the flesh and spirit, who has not been able to conquer the
simple fault of pride? Or how can we believe that one has trampled
under foot a wantonness which is ingrained in the flesh, who has not
been able to disown the love of money, which is something external and
outside our own substance? In what way will he triumph in the war of
flesh and spirit, who has not been man enough to cure the disease of
dejection? However great a city may be protected by the height of its
walls and the strength of its closed gates, yet it is laid waste by the
giving up of one postern however small. For what difference does it
make whether a dangerous foe makes his way into the heart of the city
over high walls, and through the wide spaces of the gate, or through
secret and narrow passages?