Chapter II. The Human Soul.
Stanbrook Abbey translation, Thomas Baker third edition, 1921
Teresa of Ávila and Benedict Zimmerman
22. However, I must warn you seriously not to talk to each other about such things, lest the devil deceive you. He would gain greatly by your doing so, because it would lead to the habit of detraction; rather, as I said, state the matter to those whose duty it is to remedy it. Thank God our custom here of keeping almost perpetual silence gives little opportunity for such conversations, still, it is well to stand ever on our guard.
Source notes
The Saint must frequently have spoken on the subject, but she never treated it more fully than in this place. Way of Perf. ch. xii. 7. Life, ch. xiii. 11, 14 sqq. Visitation of convents.
Way of Perfection, ch. ii. 3. Visit. 20-22, 34, 36.
’It is terrible to think what harm a Prioress can do! For although the Sisters witness things which scandalize them (of which there are plenty here!), yet they think it would be sinning against obedience to see any harm in them.’ (Letter to Father Gracian, written at Malagon at the beginning of December, 5579. Letters, Vol. III.)