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sober in spirit, 2 Tm 1:7
lifted in contemplation,
tireless in prayer,
he was fervent in everything!
Firm in intention,
consistent in virtue,
persevering in grace,
he was the same in everything!
Swift Jas 1:19 to forgive,
slow to grow angry,
free in nature,
remarkable in memory,
subtle in discussing ,
careful in choices,
he was simple in everything!
Strict with himself,
kind with others,
he was discerning in everything!
He was very eloquent, with a cheerful appearance and a kind face; free of laziness and arrogance. He was of medium height, closer to short,a his head was of medium size and round. His face was somewhat long and drawn, his forehead small and smooth, with medium eyes black and clear. Mt 6:22 His hair was dark; his eyebrows were straight, and his nose even and thin; his ears small and upright, and his temples smooth. His tongue was peaceable, fiery and sharp; his voice Prv 15:4 was powerful, but pleasing, Sg 2:14 clear, and musical.b His teeth were white, well set and even; his lips were small and thin; his beard was black and sparse;c his neck was slender, his shoulders straight; his arms were short, his hands slight, his fingers long and his nails tapered. He had thin legs, small feet, fine skin and little flesh.d His clothing was rough, his sleep was short, his hand was generous.
- A similar description can be found of Bernard of Clairvaux, cf. Vita prima s. Bernardi III 1,1.
- The same adjectives are used again in Thomas’s description of Francis proclaiming the gospel of the Nativity at Greccio. Cf. n. 86 below.
- For a similar passage see Vita prima s. Bernardi III 1,1.
- Another passage similar to the Vita prima s. Bernardi III 1,1. Although Thomas knew this work, as is obvious from the similar pattern Thomas provides in describing Francis’s appearance and inner strengths, a comparison of both texts shows that Thomas portrays Francis differently.
Vita Prima, Fontes Franciscani, p. 358-359
spiritu sobrius,
contemplatione suspensus,
orationi assiduus
et in omnibus fervens.
4Constans proposito,
virtute stabilis,
gratia perseverans,
et in omnibus idem.
5Ad indulgendum velox,
ad irascendum tardus,
liber ingenio,
memoria luculentus,
subtilis in disserendo,
circumspectus in eligendo
et in omnibus simplex.
6Rigidus in se,
pius in aliis,
discretus in omnibus.
7Facundissimus homo, facie hilaris, vultu benignus, immunis ignaviae, insolentiae expers.8Statura mediocris parvitati vicinior, caput mediocre ac rotundum, facies utcumque oblonga et protensa, frons plana et parva, mediocres oculi, nigri et simplices, fusci capilli, supercilia recta, nasus aequalis, subtilis et rectus, aures erectae sed parvae, tempora plana,9lingua placabilis, ignea et acuta, vox vehemens, dulcis, clara atque sonora, dentes coniuncti, aequales et albi, modica labia atque subtilia, barba nigra, pilis non plene respersa,10collum subtile, humeri recti, brevia brachia, tenues manus, digiti longi, ungues producti, crura subtilia, parvuli pedes, tenuis cutis, caro paucissima, aspera vestis, somnus brevissimus, manus largissima.