INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE

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PART III, Chapter 33: Dances Are Permissible But Dangerous Pastimes

Dances and balls are pastimes neither morally good nor morally evil by their very nature. But the usual way of conducting these pastimes is very much inclined and disposed towards evil and consequently full of danger and risk. They are held at night in dim light and darkness. Several disgraceful and sinful incidents easily slip in as the situation itself is very favourable to evil. They keep awake till very late at night after which they lose the mornings of the following days, thus losing the means of serving God in them. In a word, it is always foolishness to change day into night, light into darkness and good works into trifles. At the ball each one tries to excel in vanity. Now vanity is so great a tendency to evil attachments and dangerous and blameworthy loves that all these easily occur at dances.

I speak of dances, Philothea, in the same vein as doctors speak of pumpkins and mushrooms. They say that the best are good for nothing, and I say that the best balls are scarcely good. Nevertheless if you have to eat pumpkins, take care that they are well prepared. If you have to go to a ball on some occasion, take care that your dance is properly prepared. But how can it be properly prepared? With modesty, with dignity and with good intention. Speaking of mushrooms, the doctors say: eat little and rarely. No matter how well-prepared they may be, taken in large quantity, they become poisonous. Dance little and rarely, Philothea, because by doing otherwise, you run the risk of becoming attached to it.

Pliny mentions that mushrooms being spongy and porous easily draw in every form of infection which is around them. So, if they are near serpents, they absorb their poison. Balls, dances and similar gatherings at night usually attract the vices and sins which are prevalent in a place such as quarrels, envy, mockery, immodest love-making. While these pastimes open the pores of the body of those who take part in them they open also the pores of their hearts. Then, if some serpent breathes into their ears some lustful suggestion, some silly words of love, some flattering words, or if a basilisk[1] casts some impure glances, amorous looks, their hearts are easily seized and poisoned.

Philothea, these unwholesome recreations are usually dangerous. They scatter the spirit of devotion, weaken spiritual energies and make charity grow cold. They awaken in the person a thousand kinds of evil attachments. Therefore, they are to be used with great prudence.

It is said that especially after taking mushrooms we must drink very good wine. I say that after dances some holy and good reflections are to be made in order to prevent dangerous impressions, received from the vain pleasures, entering the mind. But what reflection?

1. At the very same time when you were at the ball, many were burning in the fire of hell for sins committed at dances or on account of dances.

2. Many religious and devout people were, at the very same time, in the presence of God singing his praises and contemplating his beauty. Surely their time was spent with much greater profit than yours.

3. While you were dancing, many died in great anguish. Thousands of men and women were suffering great pains. In their beds, in the hospitals and in the streets: gout, kidney stones, burning fever. Alas! They had no rest. Will you not have compassion for them? Do you not think that one day you will groan like them while others will be dancing as you did?

4. Our Lord, Our Lady, the Angels and Saints saw you at the ball. How much they pitied you, seeing your heart given to such trifling amusements and occupied with such nonsense!

5. Alas! While you were there, time was passing by, death was approaching. You see that death is mocking you and is calling you to its dance in which the sobs of your relations will serve as violins. There you will make a single movement from life to death. This dance is the real pass-time of the mortals since they pass by it in a moment from time to eternity either of happiness or of pain.

I note down these little reflections for you but God will inspire in several others for the same purpose, if his fear is in you.

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[1] Part III, Chapter 13.

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