{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/211/2111081.htm","path":"chr/ecf/211/2111081.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/211/2111081.htm","text":"How the Evangelist John is said to have shown the value of relaxation.\nIt is said that the blessed John, while he was gently stroking a partridge with his hands suddenly saw a philosopher approaching him in the garb of a hunter, who was astonished that a man of so great fame and reputation should demean himself to such paltry and trivial amusements, and said: \u201cCan you be that John, whose great and famous reputation attracted me also with the greatest desire for your acquaintance? Why then do you occupy yourself with such poor amusements?\u201d To whom the blessed John: \u201cWhat is it,\u201d said he, \u201cthat you are carrying in your hand?\u201d The other replied: \u201ca bow.\u201d \u201cAnd why,\u201d said he, \u201cdo you not always carry it everywhere bent?\u201d To whom the other replied: \u201cIt would not do, for the force of its stiffness would be relaxed by its being continually bent, and it would be lessened and destroyed, and when the time came for it to send stouter arrows after some beast, its stiffness would be lost by the excessive and continuous strain. and it would be impossible for the more powerful bolts to be shot.\u201d \u201cAnd, my lad,\u201d said the blessed John, \u201cdo not let this slight and short relaxation of my mind disturb you, as unless it sometimes relieved and relaxed the rigour of its purpose by some recreation, the p. 541 spirit would lose its spring owing to the unbroken strain, and would be unable when need required, implicitly to follow what was right.\u201d 2323\nThe story is quoted by S. Francis de Sales, The Devout Life, and by Dean Goulbourn, Personal Religion, Part III. c. x.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. XI: The Works of John Cassian.: Chapter XXI. How the Evangelist John is said to have shown the value of relaxation.","type":"page"}