John Tauler · 66 of 121

In the second place, perfection of virture driveth a man to a poor life.

24.

It might now be said, If a man is weak by nature, and keepeth the things that are required as necessary, if this doth not hinder him from the perfection of virtue? I say in answer, If the man is weak, so that he require this, and keepeth something that he needeth, this is not against virtue. For virtue hath a proper order, and if he gave away this necessity he would act against order, and that he cometh to his own help is as right as if he gave it to a poor man. But it would be much more perfect, if he were sound, that he should thus strip himself of all temporal things, so that he had nothing left when he became sick. Thus the perfection of virtue consisteth in resigning all things; therefore we should give up these gladly, in order to be able to possess all virtue.