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The Cloud of Unknowing · 24 of 80

Chapter 19. A short excusation of him that made this book, teaching how all contemplatives should have all actives fully excused of their complaining words and deeds

SOME might think that I do little worship to Martha, that special saint, for I liken her words of complaining of her sister unto these worldly men’s words, or theirs unto hers: and truly I mean no unworship to her nor to them. And God forbid that I should in this work say anything that might be taken in condemnation of any of the servants of God in any degree, and namely of His special saint. For me thinketh that she should be full well had excused of her plaint, taking regard to the time and the manner that she said it in. For that that she said, her unknowing was the cause. And no wonder though she knew not at that time how Mary was occupied; for I trow that before she had little heard of such perfection. And also that she said, it was but courteously and in few words: and therefore she should always be had excused.

And so me thinketh that these worldly living men and women of active life should also full well be had excused of their complaining words touched before, although they say rudely that they say; having beholding to their ignorance. For why? Right as Martha wist full little what Mary her sister did when she complained of her to our Lord; right so on the same manner these folk nowadays wot full little, or else nought, what these young disciples of God mean, when they set them from the business of this world, and draw them to be God’s special servants in holiness and rightfulness of spirit. And if they wist truly, I daresay that they would neither do nor say as they say. And therefore me thinketh always that they should be had excused: for why, they know no better living than is that they live in themselves. And also when I think on mine innumerable defaults, the which I have made myself before this time in words and deeds for default of knowing, me thinketh then if I would be had excused of God for mine ignorant defaults, that I should charitably and piteously have other men’s ignorant words and deeds always excused. And surely else, do I not to others as I would they did to me. p. 140

Asked of Guide

Why does the writer defend Martha and active people who complain about contemplatives?

The writer explains he excuses Martha and active people because their words come from ignorance and unknowing; Martha “wist full little what Mary her sister did,” and that lack of understanding makes her complaint excusable. He extends the same charity to worldly men and women who fault contemplatives, saying they “wot full little, or else nought” about the contemplatives’ interior calling.

He grounds this defense in reciprocity and his own experience: remembering his “innumerable defaults” leads him to desire mercy, so he argues we should charitably excuse others’ ignorant words and deeds. This mirrors themes in Augustine’s Confessions about self-awareness and mercy toward others when one recognizes one’s own faults.

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.