Delicacy And Trials

Forte aliquantis in hoc saeculo nimium delictis angusti et ardui itineris necessitas desperationem parit. Et vere habet hoc ratio, ut aspera quaeque et difficilia rudis animus expavescat. Sed quid facimus, quod nulla deliciosis militibus virtutum patet janua? Quis autem fructus laboris esset, si per plana discurreres? Aut quando te ad locum paratum venisse gauderes, si sine injuria corporis pervenires? Quis umquam otiosus tropaea composuit? Aut quis circumstantibus undique hostium legionibus ad victoriam dormitando pervenit? Parum laudis habet virtutum corona, quae ex labore non descendit. Potest quidem habere palmam, sed non habet gloriam. Quando fuit ut agricola horrea sua otiosus impleret? Aut quis umquam legitimo tempore agri sui fructum recepit, nisi prius multiplicato rudem terram sulco confecerit? Haec est autem magnorum ratio virtutum, ut quanto plus homo laborat, tanto plus mercedis acquirat. Sanctus Valerianus Cemeliensis, Homilia II, De Arcta et Angusta Via Source: Migne PL 52.698c-d

Perhaps in this world the troubles of the narrow and difficult way 1 give birth to despair in folk who are somewhat delicate folk. And truly reason holds to this, that the untutored soul fears whatever is hard and bitter. But what shall we do, since no gate of the virtues opens up for delicate soldiers? What would be the fruit of your labours if you were running about over a flat field? Or when would you rejoice at your arrival at a prepared place, if you had come to it without any injury to the body? Who has ever set up a trophy of victory by being idle? Or who has achieved victory by sleeping while the legions of the enemy surrounded him on every side? Little praise has that crown of virtues which is not handed down for toil. It is possible that such a man have a palm, but he has no glory. When did a lazy farmer fill his barns? Who gathers in his harvest at the proper season if he did not first prepare the rough earth with many furrows? This is the account of great virtues: the more a man works, the more the reward he receives. Saint Valerian of Cimelium, from Homily 2, On The Narrow and Difficult Way 1 Mt 7.13-14