In my case, the habits of mind which I acquired in the world will cling to me in spite of myself even here.

I cannot help watching the doings of others, studying their characters, planning and plotting for them, trying to prognosticate their future fate.

Not a word, not a gesture of this our little family, but turns away my mind from the one thing needful.' 'And do you fancy that the anchorite in his cell has fewer distractions ?' 'What can he have but the supply of the mere necessary wants of life?
and them, even, he may abridge to the gathering of a few roots and herbs.

Men have lived like the beasts already, that they might at the same time live like the angels--and why should not I also ?' 'And thou art the wise man of the world--the student of the hearts of others--the anatomiser of thine own?
Hast thou not found out that, besides a craving stomach, man carries with him a corrupt heart?
Many a man I have seen who, in his haste to fly from the fiends without him, has forgotten to close the door of his heart against worse fiends who were ready to harbour within him.

Many a monk, friend, changes his place, but not the anguish of his soul.