Of Balls and Other Permitted, but Dangerous, Pastimes.
Dances and balls are things indifferent in their nature; but the circumstances that ordinarily accompany this exercise incline it greatly toward evil, and consequently render it very harmful and very dangerous. In the first place, it is at night that they are held; and amid darkness and obscurity, it is difficult for many evil things not to creep into a diversion that is already in itself very susceptible to evil: moreover, they keep long vigils there, which cause them to lose the morning of the following day, and thereby the means of serving God. Now, is it not great folly thus to change day into night, light into darkness, and good works into frivolous pleasures? Furthermore, everyone brings vanity to the ball, vying with one another, and vanity is such a great disposition to evil affections and dangerous friendships that all this is almost the necessary consequence of such gatherings.
Of dancing and balls, Philothea, I say what physicians say of mushrooms: the best are worth nothing, they say; and I tell you likewise that the best balls are scarcely good. If, however, you must eat mushrooms, take care that they be well prepared; and if, on some occasion from which you cannot possibly excuse yourself, you must go to a ball, take care that your dancing be well prepared. How shall it be so? By modesty, gravity, and good intention. “Eat little of them and rarely,” physicians say when speaking of mushrooms; for, however well prepared they may be, a great quantity makes them deadly: in like manner, I tell you, Philothea, dance little and rarely; otherwise, you would be in danger of becoming attached to it.
Dances and balls are things indifferent in their nature; but the circumstances that ordinarily accompany this exercise incline it greatly toward evil, and consequently render it very harmful and very dangerous. In the first place, it is at night that they are held; and amid darkness and obscurity, it is difficult for many evil things not to creep into a diversion that is already in itself very susceptible to evil: moreover, they keep long vigils there, which cause them to lose the morning of the following day, and thereby the means of serving God. Now, is it not great folly thus to change day into night, light into darkness, and good works into frivolous pleasures? Furthermore, everyone brings vanity to the ball, vying with one another, and vanity is such a great disposition to evil affections and dangerous friendships that all this is almost the necessary consequence of such gatherings.
Of dancing and balls, Philothea, I say what physicians say of mushrooms: the best are worth nothing, they say; and I tell you likewise that the best balls are scarcely good. If, however, you must eat mushrooms, take care that they be well prepared; and if, on some occasion from which you cannot possibly excuse yourself, you must go to a ball, take care that your dancing be well prepared. How shall it be so? By modesty, gravity, and good intention. “Eat little of them and rarely,” physicians say when speaking of mushrooms; for, however well prepared they may be, a great quantity makes them deadly: in like manner, I tell you, Philothea, dance little and rarely; otherwise, you would be in danger of becoming attached to it.
Mushrooms, according to Pliny, being spongy and porous, readily attract all the infection around them, so that if they are near serpents, they receive their venom. Balls, dances, and other gatherings of this kind likewise attract the vices and sins that are in a place: quarrels, jealousies, mockeries, foolish loves. And just as these exercises open the pores of the bodies of those who engage in them, so too do they open the pores of their hearts. Whereby, if some serpent comes to whisper in the ear a word of flattery or gallantry, if one is caught by the seductive gaze of some basilisk, hearts are very easily ensnared and poisoned.
O Philothea! how dangerous these amusements ordinarily are! They dissipate the spirit of devotion, they enervate the soul, they cool charity, they awaken in the heart a thousand kinds of evil affections. They must therefore be used with extreme prudence.
It is said that it is especially prudent to drink good wine after eating mushrooms. In like manner, I say that after dances, one must make use of some holy and good reflections, which may prevent the dangerous impressions this vain pleasure might make upon our spirits. But what are these reflections? Here are those I commend to you.
1. While you were at the ball, several souls were burning in hell for sins committed in dancing, or on account of dancing.
O Philothea! how dangerous these amusements ordinarily are! They dissipate the spirit of devotion, they enervate the soul, they cool charity, they awaken in the heart a thousand kinds of evil affections. They must therefore be used with extreme prudence.
It is said that it is especially prudent to drink good wine after eating mushrooms. In like manner, I say that after dances, one must make use of some holy and good reflections, which may prevent the dangerous impressions this vain pleasure might make upon our spirits. But what are these reflections? Here are those I commend to you.
1. While you were at the ball, several souls were burning in hell for sins committed in dancing, or on account of dancing.
2. Several religious and other devout persons were at the same hour before God, singing His praises and contemplating His beauty. Oh! how much more happily was their time employed than yours!
3. While you were dancing, many persons died in cruel agonies; thousands upon thousands of men and women, afflicted with violent illnesses, suffered dreadful pains in their beds, in hospitals, and in the streets. Alas! they had not the least respite: will you not have compassion on them? and do you not think that one day you will groan as they do, while others dance as you have done?
4. Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, the angels, and the saints saw you at the ball. Ah! how pitiful you must have seemed to them, with your heart amused by such trifles and occupied with such foolishness!
5. Alas! while you were there, time passed, death drew near; already it is calling you, and soon eternity will begin for you: will it be the eternity of blessings, or the eternity of torments? Your life, good or evil, will have decided it forever.
Such are the considerations you may make; but God will suggest many others to you on the same subject, if you fear Him.
3. While you were dancing, many persons died in cruel agonies; thousands upon thousands of men and women, afflicted with violent illnesses, suffered dreadful pains in their beds, in hospitals, and in the streets. Alas! they had not the least respite: will you not have compassion on them? and do you not think that one day you will groan as they do, while others dance as you have done?
4. Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, the angels, and the saints saw you at the ball. Ah! how pitiful you must have seemed to them, with your heart amused by such trifles and occupied with such foolishness!
5. Alas! while you were there, time passed, death drew near; already it is calling you, and soon eternity will begin for you: will it be the eternity of blessings, or the eternity of torments? Your life, good or evil, will have decided it forever.
Such are the considerations you may make; but God will suggest many others to you on the same subject, if you fear Him.