On the Duties of the Clergy

A Bishop's special office is to teach; St. Ambrose himself, however, has to learn in order that he may teach; or rather has to teach what he has not learnt; at any rate learning and teaching with himself must go on…

§1 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶1)

A duty is to be chosen from what is virtuous, and from what is useful, and also from the comparison of the two, one with the other; but nothing is recognized by Christians as virtuous or useful which is not helpful to…

§2 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶2)

Nothing escapes God’s knowledge. This is proved by the witness of the Scriptures and the analogy of the sun, which, although created, yet by its light or heat enters into all things. 51.

§3 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶3)

On the different functions of modesty. How it should qualify both speech and silence, accompany chastity, commend our prayers to God, govern our bodily motions; on which last point reference is made to two clerics in…

§4 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶4)

We must guard against anger, before it arises; if it has already arisen we must check and calm it, and if we cannot do this either, at least we should keep our tongue from abuse, so that our passions may be like boys’…

§5 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶5)

A reason is given why this book did not open with a discussion of the above-mentioned virtues. It is also concisely pointed out that the same virtues existed in the ancient fathers. 116.

§6 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶6)

On kindness and its several parts, namely, good-will and liberality. How they are to be combined. What else is further needed for any one to show liberality in a praiseworthy manner.

§7 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶7)

Good-will exists especially in the Church, and nourishes kindred virtues. 170. Good-will expands in the body of the Church, by fellowship in faith, by the bond of baptism, by kinship through grace received, by communion…

§8 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶8)

Courage in war was not wanting in our forefathers, as is shown by the example of the men of old, especially by the glorious deed of Eleazar. 205.

§9 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶9)

What is seemly should always shine forth in our life. What passions, then, ought we to allow to come to a head, and which should we restrain? 234.

§10 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶10)

The Levites ought to be utterly free from all earthly desires. What their virtues should be on the Apostle’s own showing, and how great their purity must be.

§11 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶11)

Happiness in life is to be gained by living virtuously, inasmuch as thus a Christian, whilst despising glory and the favour of men, desires to please God alone in what he does.

§1 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶1)

On what is useful: not that which is advantageous, but that which is just and virtuous. It is to be found in losses, and is divided into what is useful for the body, and what is useful unto godliness. 22.

§2 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶2)

Men entrust their safety rather to a just than to a prudent man. But every one is wont to seek out the man who combines in himself the qualities of justice and prudence. Solomon gives us an example of this.

§3 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶3)

Due measure must be observed in liberality, that it may not be expended on worthless persons, when it is needed by worthier ones. However, alms are not to be given in too sparing and hesitating a way.

§4 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶4)

To defend the weak, or to help strangers, or to perform similar duties, greatly adds to one’s worth, especially in the case of tried men.

§5 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶5)

In contempt of money there is the pattern of justice, which virtue bishops and clerics ought to aim at together with some others. A few words are added on the duty of not bringing an excommunication too quickly into…

§6 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶6)

We are taught by David and Solomon how to take counsel with our own heart. Scipio is not to be accounted prime author of the saying which is ascribed to him.

§1 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶1)

As it has been shown that he who injures another for the sake of his own advantage will undergo terrible punishment at the hand of his own conscience, it is referred that nothing is useful to one which is not in the…

§2 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶2)

Strangers must never be expelled the city in a time of famine. In this matter the noble advice of a Christian sage is adduced, in contrast to which the shameful deed committed at Rome is given.

§3 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶3)

Having adduced examples of certain frauds found in a few passages of the rhetoricians, he shows that these and all others are more fully and plainly condemned in Scripture. 70.

§4 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶4)

With what virtuous feelings the fathers of old hid the sacred fires when on the point of going into captivity. 98. Let us consider, again, that deed done at the time of the captivity, which has attained the highest…

§5 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶5)

Virtue must never be given up for the sake of a friend. If, however, one has to bear witness against a friend, it must be done with caution.

§6 — On the Duties of the Clergy (¶6)