Dear Salviati,
I have learned that you are ill. I believe you think that I cannot help you in any way. A nun separated from the world, without family ties, necessarily leads a stricter life than others. However, you are the head of a large family and must take care of it. You must take care of your health – not for the enjoyment of this world, but to provide for your family and to raise your children well in a Christian manner. Do not forget that before the final judgment we will give account not only of our transgressions but also of our neglect of ourselves.
I am sending you a basket of chestnuts and I command you to eat at least four every evening. We must look at life – and not at death – as our goal. It is Tuesday, nine o'clock in the evening. I believe that you are also going to bed now. The current weather surely harms your health, so I ask you to take care of yourself at least until mid-April: that will be your task.
(Catherine de’ Ricci /1522–1590/,
letter to the Florentine painter Fr. Salviati /1510–1563/, January 6, 1561)
