ST.FRANCIS OF ASSISI: OF THE PRAISE OF POVERTY
While he was in the valley of tears, the Blessed Father considered the common wealth of the sons of men as trifles and ambitions for higher things, he longed for poverty with all his heart. Looking upon poverty, as especially dear to the Son of God, though it was spurned throughout the whole world, he sought to espouse it in perpetual charity. Therefore, after he had become a lover of her beauty, he not only left his father and mother, but even put aside all things, that he might cling to her more closely as his spouse and that they might be two in one spirit. Therefore he gathered her to himself with chaste embraces and not even for an hour did he allow himself not to be her husband. This he would tell his sons is the way to perfection. There was no one so solicitous in guarding his treasure as he was solicitous in guarding this pearl of the Gospel. Indeed from the very beginning of his religious life unto his death he was rich in having only a tunic, a cord and drawers, and he had nothing else. His poor habit showed where he was laying up his riches. With this he went his way happy, secure and confident. He rejoiced to exchange a perishable treasure for the hundredfold.