Appendix: On the Twelve Abuses of the Age A Translation

Summary

This translation updates that offered by Aidan Breen in his 1988 PhD thesis alongside his critical edition of DDAS, supplemented by reference to the most reliable manuscripts (in particular U Cambridge, CUL Ii.1.41). The layout of individual sentences reflects the use of end-rhyme to define phrases within these sentences (except where scriptural passages are being cited). Sentences are often written as couplets, although sometimes they are longer for rhetorical effect. Direct citations from scripture are identified within notes, as are allusions to scripture and other sources. Inevitably, translation into English can never capture the full nuance of the Latin, as with the terms iustitia (righteousness as well as justice) and uirtus (strength as well as virtue), here rendered as moral strength. The signs < > refer to rubrics not in the original Latin text.

<Prologue>

• 1. A wise man without good works

• 2. An old man without religion

• 3. A youth without obedience

• 4. A rich man without almsgiving

• 5. A woman without modesty

• 6. A lord without moral strength

• 7. A contentious Christian

• 8. A proud pauper

• 9. An unjust king

• 10. A negligent bishop

• 11. Common folk without discipline

• 12. A people without law

Thus, justice is suffocated. These are the twelve abuses of the age through which the wheel of the age, if one is within it, is deceived and without any impeding support of justice, is propelled into the darkness of hell through the just judgement of God.

<1. A wise man without good works>

• 1. Firstly, if a wise man and preacher is without good works, he neglects to carry out in actions what he teaches in words; hearers despise acting on the sayings of teaching when they perceive that the actions of a preacher do not match a preacher's words.

• 2. ‘The authority of one giving instruction never becomes effective unless he fixes onto the heart of a listener by effective action’, especially when the teacher himself, if he has fallen into the love of vice,

• disdains applying to his wounds the medicine of another teacher.

• 3. Hence the Lord himself in the Gospel, wishing to give instruction in both teaching and good works, warned the disciples to exercise such caution, saying:

• For if the salt has lost its savour,

• with what shall it be salted?