Quotations of the Popes, Saints, and Devout Souls on Modesty and Purity

There is now a third part to the Modesty and Purity section of Saints' Works.

Popes, Saints, and Devout Quotations: Pertaining to Modesty and Purity - Part III

Now in three parts we have well over one hundred quotations on modesty and purity from the Holy Scriptures, Popes, saints, and devout souls.

A few pieces from the above. . .

'The light of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is pure, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness.'

Matthew 6:22-3

'Glory not in apparel at any time, and be not exalted in the day of thy honour: for the works of the Highest only are wonderful, and his works are glorious, and secret, and hidden.'

Ecclesiasticus 11:4

'I wish to point out to thee ten offences against God, all occasioned by dress. . . The first is vanity; and it is vanity when thou dost wear that which is not suited to thee. . . The second sign of sin is called variety. Knowest thou what is meant by variety? It consists in garments in checks, all embroidered and flowered and with stripes of different colours. . . The third sign of sin is regard for appearance. This sign is generally to be perceived because there is no one who does not seek to have the most costly clothes that may be had. . . The fourth sign of sin which displeaseth God, is called costliness, on the part of those who demand costly garments of gauze or silken stuffs. . . The fifth sign and sign of the displeasure of God is injustice. . . whence come these possessions, whence come these garments. . . most times, it is made up of robbery, of usury, and of the sweat of the brow of peasants, and of the blood of widows, and of the marrow of wards and orphans. . . The first of the other five is called superfluity: whearas you must reflect that when God gave the garment of skin to Adam, he gave it to him out of decency, and to protect him from the heat and cold, so that it might be fitted to his needs, and in this all the holy Doctors agree. . . the second sign and sin which displeaseth God is called the desire to attract notice. . . the third sin is called fashion. . . the fourth is called enticement. . . Damaging loss is the last. How many goods have you lying useless in your house, and how many are there of you who, for all that they have very many, buy yet more of them?'

St. Bernardine of Siena

'Even though one is well advanced in virtue, should he stop mortifying himself, he soon would lose his modesty and virtue – just as fertile soul quickly becomes dry and arid and produces nothing but thorns and thistles if it is not cultivated.'

St. John Climacus, Father of the Church