Part III, Chapter XXXI

Of Pastimes and Recreations; and, First, of Such as Are Lawful and Commendable

It is necessary sometimes to relax our minds, as well as our bodies, by some kind of recreation. St. John the Evangelist, as Cassian relates, amusing himself one day with a partridge on his hand, was asked by a huntsman, how such a man as he could spend his time in so unprofitable a manner? To whom St. John replied: “Why dost thou not carry thy bow always bent?” — “Because,” answered the huntsman, “were it always bent, I fear it would lose its spring and become useless.”— “Be not surprised, then,” replied the apostle, “that I should sometimes remit a little of my close application and attention of mind to enjoy some little recreation, that I may afterwards employ myself more fervently in divine contemplation.” It is doubtless a defect to be so rigorous and austere as neither to be willing to take any recreation ourselves, nor allow it to others.

To take the air, to walk, to entertain ourselves with cheerful and friendly conversations, to play on the lute or any other instrument, to sing to music, or go hunting, are recreations so innocent, that, in a proper use of them, there needs but that common prudence which gives to everything its due order, time, place, and measure.

Those games in which the gain serves as a recompense for the dexterity and industry of the body or of the mind, such as tennis ball, pall-mall, running at the ring, chess, and backgammon, are recreations in themselves good and lawful; provided excess, either in the time employed in them, or in the sum that is played for, be avoided; because, if too much time be spent in them, they are no longer an amusement, but an occupation, in which neither the mind nor the body is refreshed, but on the contrary stupefied and oppressed. After playing five or six hours at chess, the spirits are altogether fatigued and exhausted. To play long at tennis is not to recreate, but fatigue, the body; and if the sum played for be too great, the affections of the players become irregular; besides, it is unjust to hazard so much upon skill of so little importance as that which is exercised at play. But, above all, Philothea, take particular care not to set your affections upon these amusements; for how innocent soever any recreation may be, when we set our hearts upon it, it becomes vicious. I do not say that you must take no pleasure whilst at play, for then it would be no recreation; but I say you must not fix your affection on it, nor spend too much time in it, nor be too eager after it.

About ReligiousBookshelf.com · A Supernerd Media project