Surely you know that the kingdom of heaven is promised and given only to the poor, because as long as one loves temporal things, the fruits of love are lost.
The clothed cannot struggle with the naked, because the one who can be grasped for something will be brought down to the ground more quickly.
Therefore, you have put aside the royal garments, namely temporal wealth, so that you are not conquered by the adversary and can enter the steep path and the narrow gate to the heavenly kingdom.
(St. Clare /1194–1253/, letter addressed in 1234 to St. Agnes of Bohemia /1211–1282/)
