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for truly the fiend is not far. Some set their eyes in their heads as they were sturdy sheep beaten
in the head, and as they should die anon. Some hang their heads on one side as if a worm were in
their ears. Some pipe when they should speak, as if there were no spirit in their bodies: and this is
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the proper condition of an hypocrite. Some cry and whine in their throats, so be they greedy and
hasty to say that they think: and this is the condition of heretics, and of them that with presumption
and with curiosity of wit will always maintain error.
Many unordained and unseemly practices follow on this error, whoso might perceive all.
Nevertheless some there be that be so curious that they can refrain them in great part when they
come before men. But might these men be seen in place where they be homely, then I trow they
should not be hid. And nevertheless yet I trow that whoso would straitly gainsay their opinion, that
they should soon see them burst out in some point; and yet them think that all that ever they do, it
is for the love of God and for to maintain the truth. Now truly I hope that unless God shew His
merciful miracle to make them soon leave off, they shall love God so long on this manner, that
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they shall go staring mad to the devil. I say not that the devil hath so perfect a servant in this life,
that is deceived and infect with all these fantasies that I set here: and nevertheless yet it may be
that one, yea, and many one, be infect with them all. But I say that he hath no perfect hypocrite nor
heretic in earth that he is not guilty in some that I have said, or peradventure shall say if God
vouchsafeth.
For some men are so cumbered in nice curious customs in bodily bearing, that when they
shall ought hear, they writhe their heads on one side quaintly, and up with the chin: they gape with
their mouths as they should hear with their mouth and not with their ears. Some when they should
speak point with their fingers, either on their fingers, or on their own breasts, or on theirs that they
speak to. Some can neither sit still, stand still, nor lie still, unless they be either wagging with their
feet or else somewhat doing with their hands. Some row with their arms in time of their speaking,
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as them needed for to swim over a great water. Some be evermore smiling and laughing at every
other word that they speak, as they were giggling girls and nice japing jugglers lacking behaviour.
Seemly cheer were full fair, with sober and demure bearing of body and mirth in manner.
I say not that all these unseemly practices be great sins in themselves, nor yet all those that
do them be great sinners themselves. But I say if that these unseemly and unordained practices be
governors of that man that doth them, insomuch that he may not leave them when he will, then I
say that they be tokens of pride and curiosity of wit, and of unordained shewing and covetyse of
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The Cloud of Unknowing Anonymous
knowing. And specially they be very tokens of unstableness of heart and unrestfulness of mind,
and specially of the lacking of the work of this book. And this is the only reason why that I set so
many of these deceits here in this writing; for why, that a ghostly worker shall prove his work by
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them.
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The Cloud of Unknowing Anonymous
HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER
How that by Virtue of this word a man is governed full wisely, and made full seemly as
well in body as in soul.
WHOSO had this work, it should govern them full seemly, as well in body as in soul: and make
them full favourable unto each man or woman that looked upon them. Insomuch, that the worst
favoured man or woman that liveth in this life, an they might come by grace to work in this work,
their favour should suddenly and graciously be changed: that each good man that them saw, should
be fain and joyful to have them in company, and full much they should think that they were pleased
in spirit and holpen by grace unto God in their presence.
And therefore get this gift whoso by grace get may: for whoso hath it verily, he shall well
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