important passages from Nicetas or the Triumph over Incontinency

http://strobertbellarmine.net/books/ERL173--Drexelius--Nicetas.pdf

p. 61

There are some that pull out their eye, when it is somewhat wanton, but do not cast it from them. [That is, does not eliminate the occasions of sin] Now and then they shun luxury, but avoid not the occasions thereof. That chaste Ioseph did not so, who not content with pulling out his eye did also cast it from him. Did not only contemn as well favors as threats of his mistress, but deceived he likewise: for she going about to attract him with most flattering importunities, he cast off his garment and fled away. How many chaste men have not only pulled out, but also cast from them their over curious and betraying eyes, so that they would not so much as abide the sight of their own mothers or sisters.
...S. Lucy that most religious virgin attempted an exploit never heard of in former Ages, and not much inferior to this of our Nicetas. She understood that a certain dishonest lover (namely the king of great Brittany) had drawn infectious flames from her eyes. Whereupon she said: Is the kind of Brittany so much set on fire with mine eyes? doth he take such pleasure in them? well, he shall have them. Straight way she pulled both these bright stars from their heavenly spheres; drew forth both her eyes, and sent them for a token to her wooer; choosing rather her eyes should perish than herself. Did not she with most courageous sincerity observe the law of our Lord: Pull it out and cast it from thee? Did she not pull it out? did she not cast from her, not one only, but both her eyes; yea though they were guiltless; not for that they had sinned by seeing, but let by being seen they might entice others to sin? A true lover of chastity, she punishes her eyes with holy blindness, will neither see or be seen.

p. 77
S. Bernadine ... was so modest from his very childhood, that as often as he heard any such like unseemly word, he would change his color as if one had given him a blow on the face.

p. 90

...it is better to have the hatred than the company of evil men. There is no vicious man but either will commend his vice unto us, make an impression of it in us, or before we are aware, infect us therewith. There are some vices commended by example, others imprinted by speech, and very many by conversation inserted in our hearts. It is the safest course to beware of all those companions and to break with them as speedily as you can. He that continues near danger cannot long be safe; and who loves danger shall perish therein.

Certain little creatures (as says Phedeon) are not perceived when they bite, so weak are they and unable to effect what they intended: the swelling only discovers the malignity of their sting. The same for the most part happens to all men in their conversation with wicked persons; they find the mischief, but apprehend not how or when they were damnified. Therefore S. Paul severely forbidding us, says: Keep not company with fornicators. I write unto you that you should not so much as take meat with these kind of people. Therefore you must be circumspect beforehand with whom you eat or drink before you eat or drink anything. "Know you not (saith he) that a little leaven corrupts the whole batch." It has been so in all Ages; with him that is perverse thou shalt be perverted. Salomon in the person of a father wisely admonishes us: "My son if sinners shall entice thee, condescend not unto them: if they shall say come with us etc., cast in thy lot with us; let there be but one purse to us all; my son walk not with them, stay thy food from their paths; for their feet run to evil."...Thou must of necessity either imitate or reprove a dissolute companion. It is best for thee to avoid both, lest thou shalt find great store of wicked men everywhere. Converse therefore with them that will make thee better than thou art; admit them whom thou may benefit, or be benefited by. ...S. Basil condemns familiarity with women; not because they are evil, but because their familiarity is dangerous. "We must endeavor (saith he) to avoid all communication with women." ...It is much better to renounce familiarity with our friend than with Christ, and rather make shipwreck of friendship than our soul.

p. 330
Oftentimes by a light touch no small dishonestly hath ensued. S. Augustine being asked why he would not dwell with his sister, replied "because they are not my sisters that live with my sister." Without doubt it is evil to behold a woman, worse to speak to her, worst of all to touch her. Therefore Nicetius a very holy priest... very mindful of himself, was afraid to handle so much as the naked bodies of infants. For none he thought could be too wary in this respect, since pleasure is wont to insinuate itself so deceitfully.