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The Cloud of Unknowing · 51 of 80

Chapter 46. A good teaching how a man shall flee these deceits, and work more with a listiness of spirit than with any boisterousness of body

AND therefore for God’s love be wary in this work, and strain not thine heart in thy breast over‑rudely nor out of measure; but work more with a list than with any worthless strength. For ever the more Mistily, the more meekly and ghostly: and ever the more rudely, the more bodily and beastly. And therefore be wary, for surely what beastly heart that presumeth for to touch the high mount of this work, it shall be beaten away with stones. Stones be hard and dry in their kind, and they hurt full sore where they hit. And surely such rude strainings be full hard fastened in fleshliness of bodily feeling, and full dry from any witting of grace; and they hurt full sore the silly soul, and make it fester in fantasy feigned of fiends. And therefore be wary with this beastly rudeness, and learn thee to love listily, with a soft and a demure behaviour as well in body as in soul; and abide courteously and meekly the will of our Lord, and snatch not overhastily, as it were a greedy greyhound, hunger thee never so sore. And, gamingly be it said, I counsel that thou do that in thee is, refraining the rude and the great stirring of thy spirit, right as thou on nowise wouldest let Him wit how fain thou wouldest see Him, and have Him or feel Him.

This is childishly and playingly spoken, thee think peradventure. But I trow whoso had grace to do and feel as I say, he should feel good gamesome play with Him, as the father doth with the child, kissing and clipping, that well were him so. p. 220

Asked of Guide

Why does the chapter insist on 'listiness' instead of 'rude strainings' in prayer?

The chapter says gentle, “listy” devotion keeps the soul meek and open to grace while violent efforts bind prayer to the flesh and breed deceptive fantasies. It pictures rude strainings as a beastly, stone‑throwing approach that wounds and dries the soul, whereas listiness is soft, demure, and courteous toward God’s will.

The writer promises that practicing this meek attention yields intimate, playful communion—“good gamesome play” like a father with a child—because restraint lets God move freely. This echoes Augustine’s emphasis in Confessions on interior humility and desire directed toward God rather than self‑driven spiritual exertion.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.