Alphabetarius

A Fasting should be done cautiously when X we amend the stomach. X Abstinence is not to be considered P unless the body and the mind text implies "fasts together" fast in the love of the Lord. For then the body's abstinence is profitable if the mind does not swell with pride. X One who eats and drinks S takes food for the refreshment of the members, for comfort, giving thanks. If someone offers you food and drink, then praise the Lord. X But it is profitable to abstain, not to put aside carnal works. A Where the flesh is worn down, X there the flesh of the poor is sustained. A It does not suffice to abstain from evil, unless good is done. A The bread is hungry, the fountain is thirsty, the road is weary. A Sooner does moderate relaxation and restoration hold fast what must be held. X The occasion of hunger makes you afraid that it is not the death of the flesh S that is being offered, so that the mortified flesh may nourish the soul. That fasting pleases God which is done out of love, for the sake of piety, so that when your flesh is afflicted, X the flesh of your neighbor is refreshed. S If one fasts and does not do good, he is later caught by the offense of the belly. S Those who abstain from food by afflicting themselves, looking to justice and removing guilt, empty the way so that they may shine in dedication.

A He who chastises himself through the maceration of the flesh. S And he who abstains from pleasures, G rejoices in this very fact, that he is chaste, if the flesh is steadfast in continence. G And he who hastens to escape malice and pursues his own distraction through the bitterness of the present, prepares for himself future sweetness in the life to come. G When the flesh is rejected more than is just from the execution of a good work, it is weakened so that labors may lead to a crown. G It suffices if he is not able to stifle vices in the injustice of life. G One must separate oneself from the things of others, abstaining because he remembers he has committed illicit acts. G In vain is the flesh worn down if it is not restrained from its own pleasures. G It is better to refresh the mind in the food of the Word for eternity than to satiate the belly with bread by curbing the death of the flesh. G The body is quickly passed over for the work that is to be found. G The abstinent and arrogant afflict the body through abstinence, but they gather vanity through pride. G Then the mind is exalted from the commanded abstinence; it remains a heavy danger that through abstinence the flesh is worn down. G Abstinent people should be admonished that they do not want to offer an abstinence that pleases God, when they do not distribute to the needy what they subtract from their own sustenance. G For no one fasts to God for his own sake if he does not distribute to the poor what he subtracts for himself, but keeps the offense of the belly.