A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

445despise the commandments of the Lord, we wish accordinglyto learn whether it is necessary that he who withdraws shouldremain alone or live with brothers of like mind who have placedbefore themselves the same goal of piety.Responsio 1. I think that the life of several in the same place ismuch more profitable. First, because for bodily wants no one ofus is sufficient for himself, but we need each other in providingwhat is necessary. For just as the foot has one ability, but iswanting another, and without the help of the other members itwould find neither its own power strong nor sufficient of itselfto continue, nor any supply for what it lacks, so it is in the caseof the solitary life: what is of use to us and what is wantingwe cannot provide for ourselves, for God who created the worldhas so ordered all things that we are dependent upon each other,as it is written that we may join ourselves to one another [cf.Wis. 13:20]. But in addition to this, reverence to the love ofChrist does not permit each one to have regard only to his ownaffairs, for love, he says, seeks not her own [I Cor. 13:5]. Thesolitary life has only one goal, the service of its own interests. [406]That clearly is opposed to the law of love, which the Apostlefulfilled, when he did not in his eyes seek his own advantagebut the advantage of many, that they might be saved [cf. I Cor.10:33]. Further, no one in solitude recognizes his own defects,since he has no one to correct him and in gentleness and mercydirect him on his way. For even if correction is from an enemy,it may often in the case of those who are well disposed rouse thedesire for healing; but the healing of sin by him who sincerelyloves is wisely accomplished.… Also the commands may bebetter fulfilled by a larger community, but not by one alone;for while this thing is being done another will be neglected; forexample, by attendance upon the sick the reception of strangers isneglected; and in the bestowal and distribution of the necessitiesof life (especially when in these services much time is consumed)the care of the work is neglected, so that by this the greatest