'The reading of spiritual works is as profitable as the
reading of bad books is noxious. As the former has led to the
conversion of many sinners, so the latter is every day the ruin of many
young persons. The first author of pious books is the Spirit of God; but
the author of pernicious writings is the devil, who often artfully
conceals from certain persons the poison that such works contain, and
makes these persons believe that the reading of such books is necessary
in order to speak well, and to acquire a knowledge of the world for
their own direction, or at least in order to pass the time agreeably.
But I say that, especially for nuns, nothing is more pernicious than the
reading of bad books. And by bad books I mean not only those that are
condemned by the Holy See, either because they contain heresy, or treat
of subjects opposed to chastity, but also all books that treat of
worldly love. What fervor can a religious have if she reads romances,
comedies, or profane poetry? What recollection can she have in
meditation or at Communion? Can she be called the spouse of Jesus
Christ? Should she not rather be called the spouse of a sinful world?
Even young women in the world that are in the habit of reading such
books are generally not virtuous seculars.
But some one may say, What harm is there in reading romances and profane poetry when they contain nothing immodest? Do you ask what harm? Behold the harm: the reading of such works kindles the concupiscence of the senses, and awakens the passions; these easily gain the consent of the will, or at least render it so weak that when the occasion of any dangerous affection occurs the devil finds the soul already prepared to allow itself to be conquered. A wise author has said that by the reading of such pernicious books heresy has made, and makes every day, great progress; because such reading has given and gives increased strength to libertinism. The poison of these books enters gradually into the soul; it first makes itself master of the understanding, then infects the will, and in the end kills the soul. The devil finds no means more efficacious and secure of sending a young person to perdition than the reading of such poisoned works.'
But some one may say, What harm is there in reading romances and profane poetry when they contain nothing immodest? Do you ask what harm? Behold the harm: the reading of such works kindles the concupiscence of the senses, and awakens the passions; these easily gain the consent of the will, or at least render it so weak that when the occasion of any dangerous affection occurs the devil finds the soul already prepared to allow itself to be conquered. A wise author has said that by the reading of such pernicious books heresy has made, and makes every day, great progress; because such reading has given and gives increased strength to libertinism. The poison of these books enters gradually into the soul; it first makes itself master of the understanding, then infects the will, and in the end kills the soul. The devil finds no means more efficacious and secure of sending a young person to perdition than the reading of such poisoned works.'
