Discourse 29

On the Change of the Beautiful Adornments of the Wise Governance for the Training of Those Who Are Governed. Chapter 29. Every wisdom is from before the Lord, as it is said. And in our own inquiries we are exercised, to become wise concerning those things of the Lord that are with us. The father of truth, in a changeable manner, is transformed with his sons. But in equality, he preserves himself, so that the manifestation of the unity of the person is shown at all times for the benefit of his sons. As for fullness, for inquiry, he conceals his love, for it is the form of that which does not exist that he shows. But of that which does exist, he is patient. And the wise man is known from the changes that are with him by the uselessness of his father over him, and his love is at once a separator. A thing restrained for the sake of reason appears straight, the activity of the love of truth. For by means of joyful things, but also by means of thoughtful things. This, then, is said for the living one who is prepared for his beloved. He feels, moreover, again, when there is, because he who loves much suffers with him, and when he feels, he is angry with them, but only to the natural mercies when they are disturbed, because of the end from the suffering that comes after. That which participates, love compels. That which is angry, again, even with these, is knowledge from power. With the struggles of choice, thus also the change of the senses of wise love towards the recipients of these fruits.

It is not from a wise lover that a gentle love is sought. It is not distinguished whether one who kills with the sweetness of honey is from one who kills with a sword. For it is not fitting that his wisdom should adorn his beloved with the joys of the world and the pleasures of the senses, by means of the sacrifices of health and the firstfruits. These are the ones whose will has gone astray, saying that the change is in the choice of movements, and not of the body. And if we are able to explain these sacrifices when, by means of separation and love for man, we are in servitude, it is not fitting for God that he should give us to complete the righteous deeds of his love, which is separate from us. Even as the changes that we are able to give to our affections? But it is difficult to endure, even if one knows, but it is only beneficial. The prayer of your ascent has brought you to this, even if not to the reward of that which is from the beginning, from the end of that which is future, from all extent. Oppressive events for inner discipline, like helpful medicines for the inequality of bodies. Everything that is not unified in its actions is not stable in its conduct. If you say from the corporeal, and if not from the corporeal. Toil, without equality, is wont to be. And there is no equality in the singular, because of the duality of healing.

and they are called simple prayers without composition. And this: to the whole sea. Not by way of comparison, as if the limit of that other is not known. The senses: to the good. For the commander of their prayer: by means of sharp love. And where there is love, there is no compulsion nor limit. And this: when they are masters of the house, from which also to prayer: a place is said. Because of this: they leave aside excessive praise. Goods and evils: the child of freedom is born. Where this is lacking, for retribution it is even more, and their work. To the sick: there is no retribution. Reward: it cuts off the one who is weary. Victory, however, is not said without compulsion. When opposition from the middle is raised, then also freedom with it ceases. Then nature: continues without compulsion. The time is preserved for the abolition of freedom: there is bound rationality. Among humans like us: and among angels. Rationality: not a perceptible movement. For by knowledge: the two stabilities of properties of rationality. This, however: two powers. The power of speech: and knowledge. The first: is completed to the end. The second, however: nature is perfected: knowledge indeed.

But the bound one then. Not by way of composition: in the sea of prayer, the bound one is simple. There is a time: and now in mystery by means of indications. In discourse, high. In the first words: without discourse as much as possible. Even not perfect ones. And what is it that is without discourse and not perfect? There are indeed mysteries that cannot be received before the time of burning. Not perfect because of it. Not because of the gathering of the one who is small for that which is in him now. This perfection is not with that one. The sea of prayer is deep, and there is no discourse. And if discourse, for those who are more than the greater ones. He would know the discourse of that one which is theirs: a change greater. For us, however, cessation, because of the sickness of the flesh.