Глава 27. О том, что подвижнику не должно иметь своих собственных занятий

The ascetic should not have the power to devote himself to his own pursuits even for a short time. For just as an instrument cannot move without an artist and a member cannot be separated for a short time from the whole body or move without the will of the inner artist who rules the whole body, so the ascetic does not have the power to do or perform anything without the will of the superior. If he says that due to physical weakness he is not able to fulfill what he is ordered, then let him let his boss test his weakness. However, when he thinks about what is said in Scripture, he himself will force himself to carry out the orders, hearing the words of Scripture: “It is not for blood that you fight against sin” (Heb. 12:4) and in another place: “In the same way, you will correct the weakened hands and the weakened knees” (Heb. 12:12). You might be interested in: