PROTREPTIKOS EIS YPOMONHN

From Saint Gregory the Theologian, a translation of the commandments concerning quietude and virtues from his poems. Cultivate quietude in words, quietude in deeds, and likewise in laughter and in gait; avoid headlong vehemence, for thus the mind will remain steadfast, and, not becoming turbulent from vehemence, it will not be weak and short in prudence, nor see dimly; nor will it be overcome by gluttony, nor by seething anger, nor by the other passions, lying ready as easy prey for them; for it is fitting that the mind rule over the passions, seated on a high and tranquil throne, looking toward God. Do not be filled with indolence in works, nor sluggish in words, nor full of hesitation in your gait, so that a good rhythm may adorn your quietude and your bearing may appear godlike and sacred. Guard also against the signs of pride: a haughty posture, a raised head, and a delicate, lofty step. Let your words be gentle toward those you meet, and your greetings sweet; show modesty toward women, and let your gaze be turned to the ground. Speak everything with circumspection, and give to your voice what is useful, measuring your utterance by the need of your hearers, so that it may be audible yet neither escape the hearing of those present by being too soft, nor exceed it by being too loud. Take care that you never say anything that you have not previously considered and thought out; nor hastily interject your own words in the midst of another’s speech; for one must listen and converse in turn, dividing speech and silence by time.

Learn willingly and teach without envy, never hiding wisdom from others out of jealousy, nor refraining from learning out of shame. Yield to elders as to fathers, honor the servants of God; to those younger than yourself, impart wisdom and virtue. Be neither contentious toward friends nor a mocker or jester at their expense; strongly avoid falsehood, deceit, and insolence; bear even the arrogant and the insolent with good words, gently and magnanimously. Let all things be attached to God for you—both deeds and words—and refer all your own things to Christ; frequently turn your soul toward God, and fix your mind on the power of Christ, resting in the divine light of the Savior as in a harbor, away from all talk and action. By day, share your prudence with people; with God, many times during the day and especially at night, let not sleep prevail much over prayers and hymns to God, for long sleep is akin to death. Spend every day doing or saying something good for people; always be a partaker of Christ, whose divine radiance shines from heaven; let Christ be your continuous and unceasing joy.

Do not slacken the tension of your soul in feasting and the relaxations of drinking, turning away from the delights proper to the mind, of which there is no satiety. Consider sufficient for the body what is necessary, and do not hasten to food before the time for dinner has arrived. Let bread be your dinner, and let herbs of the earth and the fruits of trees be added. Approach food with steadiness, not displaying a ravenous gluttony. Be neither a flesh-eater nor a wine-lover, unless some cure for illness leads you to these. Instead of the pleasures in these things, choose the joys in divine words and hymns, and in the wisdom supplied to you by God. Let a heavenly concern always raise you to heaven, and release the many anxieties about the body, trusting in hopes toward God, that he will provide you with sufficient necessities: food for life, covering for the body, and protection against winter’s cold. For all the earth and what grows from it belong to your King, and he cares for his own servants exceedingly, tending them as his own shrines and temples. Therefore, do not excessively fear diseases, nor the approach of old age expected in time. For disease will cease when it seems good to your King, and whenever this is good for your soul, and he will envelop your old age as if with wings of divine protection. Knowing these things, fortify your soul strongly against diseases, being of good courage, like a champion athlete in the stadium who endures labors with unshaken strength.

Do not press your soul too much with grief, whether a pressing illness weighs it down or some other disagreeable thing befalls you, but set your mind nobly against the hardships, offering thanks to God even in the midst of painful circumstances, since He thinks more wisely than humans and what is neither possible nor easy for humans to discover. Have pity on those who are afflicted, and ask for God’s help on behalf of people; for He will grant the favor to a friend who asks and will provide aid to the afflicted, wishing to make His own power known to people, so that, coming to recognition, they may ascend to God and enjoy eternal blessedness, when the Son of God arrives to restore the good things to His own.