De Duodecim Abusionibus Sæculi

The opening of this medieval treatise warns of a subtle contagion that spreads when teachers preach lofty truths yet fail to embody them in deed. It shows how a preacher whose works betray his words loses the trust of his listeners, and how even the most learned can become blind to their own flaws. By drawing on the Gospel’s parables, the author urges spiritual guides to match counsel with compassionate action before their authority crumbles.

The work then turns to the neglect of the aged and the rebellion of youth, describing each as a distinct “abuse” of the age. It paints a vivid picture of elders left unsupported while their inner strength wanes, and of young people who spurn obedience, unsettling the natural order of society. Through vivid analogies and scriptural echoes, the author invites readers to examine the health of their own community and consider how humility, reverence, and disciplined conduct can counter these pitfalls.