_R._ That is no wonder. No man hath such sound eyes that he can look any length of time toward the sun which we here see, much less if he have weak eyes. But those that have weak eyes can be more at ease in the darkness than in the light. Methinks, though, that it seemeth to thee that thou hast sound eyes. _Thou thinkest of the health of thy soul's eyes, but thou dost not think of the great light which thou wishest to see. Be not wroth with me, albeit I question thee and examine thee, for I needs must do that. Methinks thou dost not understand thyself._ [Sidenote: 35.9--37.3] _A._ _I am in no wise wroth with thee, but rejoice in what thou sayest, because I know that thou seekest my good._ _R._ Wishest thou any wealth? _A._ Long ago I resolved that I should despise it. I am now three and thirty years old, and I was one less than twenty when I first resolved that I would not love wealth overmuch. Though enough should come to me, I would not rejoice very much, _nor enjoy it too immoderately, nor would I gain more to keep than I could fitly make use of, and keep and support the men on, whom I must help_; and the residue I think as orderly to divide as I best am able so to do. _R._ Wishest thou any honor? _A._ I confess to thee that I did wish that till recently desire failed. _R._ Desirest thou not a beautiful wife, and withal modest and well instructed and of good manners and subject to thy will, and one who hath much substance and would not engross thee in any thing, nor hinder thee from enjoying leisure at thy will? _A._ Dost thou not praise her overmuch that I may wish her all the more? For methinks there is nothing worse for him _that willeth to serve God than to take a wife--though some one hath said_ that it is better to take one for the rearing of children. Howbeit I say that _it is better for priests not to have a wife. Therefore I decided that I would take none, because I wished to be the freer to serve God_. _R._ I hear now that thou dost not think to take a wife; but I would know whether thou still hast any love or lust _after any uncleanness_. _A._ _Why askest thou more about that?_ I do not now desire that; but if lust ever cometh to me, I dread it _as an adder_. Ever the less is my desire for it, and ever the more I wish to see the light, even as I lust the less after this manner. _R._ How about food? How much dost thou desire that? [Sidenote: 37.4--39.13] _A._ I desire none of those meats which I have renounced; I desire those which I have thought right to eat, when I see them. What shall I say more either about meat, or drink, or baths, _or riches, or honor, or any worldly lusts_? Nor do I wish any more of these than I shall need to have for my bodily comfort and to keep my strength. _Howbeit I need much more for the wants of those men which I must take care of, and moreover this I needs must have._