Our Fear of Breaking Our Oath

As far as our desire is concerned, which we took up for the sake of spiritual profit, we were hoping to be built up by constant conversation with you. For if we were to return to our monastery, it is certain that we would not only fall short of so lofty a purpose but would also suffer serious loss from the mediocrity of the way of life there. But that command of the gospel frightens us terribly: “Let your speech be yes, yes; no, no; whatever is more than these comes from the evil one.” For we hold that no righteousness can make up for breaking so important a command, and that what has once been started with a bad beginning cannot turn out well in the end. [a]