Testimonia Divinae Scripturae Et Patrum (Incertus)

APPENDIX XI. TESTIMONIES OF DIVINE SCRIPTURE AND THE FATHERS. CHAPTER FIRST. — On the One God. i. In the Prophet. Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one, and you shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole strength. In the Gospel. No one is good, except God alone. Paul to Timothy. For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a redemption for us. CHAP. II. — On the Distinction of the Persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. i. In the Epistle of John. For there are three who bear witness on earth, Spirit, water, and Blood; and the three are one in Christ Jesus; and there are three who bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, and the three are one. In the Second Epistle. For many deceivers have gone forth into this world, who do not confess that our Lord Jesus came in the flesh; these are deceivers, and they are antichrists.

CHAPTER III. — On Conversion and Contempt of the World. i. In Solomon. Do not delay in turning to the Lord, and do not put it off from day to day. For His wrath comes suddenly, and in time His vengeance will destroy you. In the Gospel. Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy is forgiven to men. Whoever blasphemes against the Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this world nor in the future. In Proverbs. Much better is bread with sweetness in peace than a house full of many goods and with unjust rivalries, with strife. In those. He who conceals an injury seeks friendship. He who hates to conceal separates friends and household members. In those. Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent. If you approach them, they will receive you like the teeth of a lion in devouring. In Jeremiah. Correct your ways and your thoughts. Do not trust in false words, for they will profit you not at all. In the Gospel. Enter through the narrow gate, for the broad and spacious way is what leads to perdition, and many are on it. How narrow and constricted is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it. In those. For just as in the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man, as it was in those days before the flood, eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage, and they did not perceive until the flood came and swept them all away; so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

CHAPTER IV.—On the Fear of the Lord. i. In Proverbs. The fear of the Lord will add days; but the years of the impious will perish. In the same. The fortification of the just is the fear of the Lord, but destruction for those who work evil. In the same. Blessed is he who fears everything through fear, for he who is hard of heart falls into evils. In Ecclesiastes. The fear of the Lord expels sin, for he who is without fear cannot be justified. In the same. The fear of the Lord: not to despise a just poor man, and not to justify a sinful rich man. In Proverbs. If you do not hold fast to the fear of God, your house will quickly be overthrown. In the same. The fear of the Lord hates malice, and pride, and the ways of the wicked. That God knows the secrets of the heart. In every place the eyes of the Lord watch over the good and the evil. In the same. Death and hell are manifest before the Lord; how then are not also the hearts of men? In the Acts of the Apostles. You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show us which one of these two you have chosen.

CHAPTER V.—On Judging Rightly. i. In Exodus. You shall not pervert the judgment of the poor in a lawsuit, and you shall not put the just to death. Likewise there. You shall not take bribes, nor accept gifts; for gifts blind the eyes of the wise and take away just speech. In Proverbs. He who accepts gifts will destroy himself; for he who takes gifts, acceptance. He will live. Likewise there. He who calls a just man impious will be cursed by the peoples and hateful to the nations, for those who argue will hope for better things. Likewise there. Open your mouth with the word of the Lord, and judge all with integrity. Open your mouth and judge justly; but distinguish between the poor and the weak. In Leviticus. Cursed is he who perverts judgment for the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, and all the people say: So be it, so be it. In Ecclesiasticus. Gifts and presents blind the eyes of judges; and like a mute in the eyes of many, he turns away correction. In Job. For the testimony of the impious is death; and fire will burn the houses of those who accept gifts.

CHAPTER VI.—On Doing Good to the Poor. i. In Proverbs. He who insults the poor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor is blessed. He who brings false accusation against the poor provokes him who made him, for he who honors him has mercy on the poor. He who gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who turns away his eye will be in great want. In Leviticus. You shall not finish reaping the harvest of your field, and you shall not gather what falls from your harvest, nor shall you collect the falling grapes from your vineyard, but you shall leave them for the poor and strangers. Because I am the Lord your God. In Proverbs. He who stops up his ears so that he does not hear the weak man, he himself will call upon the Lord, and there will be no one to hear him. In Job. Let not the pleasure of your soul turn away the prayers of the weak when they are in need. CHAPTER VII.—On Not Walking in Deceit. i. In Ecclesiastes. Woe to the double-hearted, and to the wicked of lips, and to the sinner entering upon two ways. Likewise there. A heart entering upon two ways will not have success, and the perverse of heart will be scandalized in them. He who throws a stone upward, it falls upon him; and the wound of the deceitful divides the wounds; and he who digs a pit falls into it; and he who sets a snare for his neighbor will perish in it, the most wicked deed turns back upon him, and he will not know whence it comes to him. In Job. Dissemblers and cunning men provoke the wrath of God. In Jeremiah.

The iron wounding tongue of them, the deceitful words of their mouth, speaking peaceably to their neighbor, and within themselves bearing enmity; in this one, therefore, shall I not visit, says the Lord; or in such a people shall not my soul take vengeance? In the Gospel. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but within are ravenous wolves; you will know them by their fruits. In Proverbs. If your enemy has fallen, do not rejoice, and do not exult in his downfall, lest the Lord see it and it not please him, so that he may turn his anger away from him. Paul the Apostle. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink, for by doing this you heap coals of fire upon his head; but God will reward you. In the Gospel. Peter approached Jesus and said to him: Lord, if my brother sins against me, how many times shall I forgive him? Seven times? The Lord answered: I do not say to you only seven times, but seventy times seven. In Exodus. Obey your parents in all things; for this pleases God.

CHAPTER VIII — On the Proud Son. In Proverbs. A deceitful son will have nothing good, who does not honor his father and drives away his mother; the son will be confounded and will be a reproach. Likewise there. A son who abandons his father’s discipline will meditate on words of malice. Likewise there. To one cursing his father and mother, the light will be extinguished; but the pupils of his eyes will see darkness. Likewise there. He who, being angry, thinks he does not sin against his father or his mother, this one is like an impious man. Likewise there. The blessing of the father strengthens the houses of the sons, but the curse of the mother uproots the foundations. CHAPTER IX — On Treasure. In Proverbs. Better is a modest portion with the fear of the Lord than great treasures without fear; better is a modest acquisition with justice than many fruits with iniquity. Likewise there. Better is a good name than great riches; above gold and silver, good grace is. In Ecclesiastes. Nothing is more unjust than to love money; for such a one even sells his own soul, since in his life he has cast away his inmost self. For a covetous, tenacious man, substance is not good, nor is lust for a man; what use is gold? Just as he exits from his mother’s womb, he returns naked, as he came, and he will take nothing from his labor, to go in his own hand. I have said, better than this is an abortion; rest is more for this one than for those. In Zephaniah.

All who exalt themselves in silver and gold have perished; I will pour out their blood like mud, and their flesh like the dung of oxen; and silver and gold will not be able to free them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. In Habakkuk. He who acquires evil avarice for his house; you have planned confusion for your house, your soul has sinned. In Ecclesiastes. The way of sinners is full of offenses; at their end are hell, and darkness, and punishments. CHAPTER X — On Alms. In Proverbs. Do not say to the poor man: Go, and come, tomorrow I will give, when you can do good at once, for you do not know what may happen on the following day. Likewise there. He who has mercy on the poor is blessed; alms and faith cleanse sins; but he who has mercy obtains mercy. He who honors God has mercy on the poor. In the Gospel. Give back to the Almighty, and do not turn away from him who wishes to receive much. Likewise there. But when you give alms, let your left hand not know what your right hand does, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. Likewise there. Nevertheless give alms, and behold, all things are clean for you. Likewise there.

But Jesus, looking intently, saw those who were placing their gifts in the treasury, rich men, and he also saw a certain poor widow placing two small copper coins. He said: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has given more than all of them, for all these gave to the gifts of God from their abundance; but she gave from what she lacks, all the sustenance she had.” In Proverbs: “As silver and gold are tested in the furnace, so are chosen hearts before the Lord.” Likewise there: “The potter’s kiln tests the vessel, and temptation and tribulations test just men.” CHAPTER XI — On correction and on pride. i. In Proverbs: “Reprove a wise man, and he will love you; a foolish man, and he will add to hating you.” Likewise: “Give a wise man an opportunity, and he will be wiser; make it known to a just man, and he will add to you. He who loves discipline loves wisdom, for he who hates his reprover is foolish.” Likewise: “The undisciplined man does not love his reprover, nor does he converse with wise men.” Likewise: “He who accepts discipline will be in good standing, for he who heeds reproofs will become wise.” Likewise there: “When a pestilent man is chastised, a foolish man becomes more cunning; but if you reprove a prudent man, he understands the sense; if you flog a fool in the middle of a council, by offering insult you do not remove his folly.” In Ecclesiastes: “He who hates correction is the footprint of a sinner; and those who fear the Lord turn to their heart.” In Proverbs.

Just as a dog returns to its vomit and becomes hateful, so the fool, turned back in his malice, in his sins. In Ecclesiasticus. The beginning of pride is men apostatizing from God, since the beginning of every sin is pride. Likewise there. In two things my heart feared, and in a third wrath came upon me: a warrior failing from want, and a sensible man despised, and he who transgresses justice in sin, God prepares him for the sword. In the Psalms. He who acts proudly shall not dwell in the midst of my house. In the Apostle. To the humble God gives grace, but to the proud he resists. In Proverbs. He who guards his mouth and his tongue preserves his soul from distresses, for he who is insolent with his lips will terrify himself. Likewise there. The Lord will destroy the houses of the proud; every one who exalts his heart is unclean before the Lord. Likewise there. A proud son has evil eyes, with his eyelids the rash one is lifted up, and the proud one is called a pestilence. Likewise there. Do not be proud before the sight of the king, nor standing in the places of the powerful. It is better for you to be spoken of than to be humiliated in the sight of a powerful man. In Ecclesiasticus. Pride is hateful before God and men. Likewise there. And why are you proud, earth and ashes? Likewise there. He who touches pitch will be defiled by it; he who associates with a proud man puts on pride. Likewise there. Those who are proud will be crushed by insult, and they will be humbled, and the lofty will fall by the sword. Likewise there.

Pride has ceased, and the riches of the proud, because what is high in men is an abomination before God. CHAPTER XII. — On gentleness, patience, and humility. i. In Proverbs. A gentle man is a physician of the heart, in that the bone understands the heart. Likewise there. A gentle man with humility is better than one who divides the spoil with the insolent. In Ecclesiastes. Be gentle in hearing the word, that you may understand, and with wisdom pour forth a true answer. Likewise there. Son, perform your works in gentleness, and you will be loved by man. Likewise. In the heart of a good man patience is found; but in the heart of the foolish it is not recognized. In Proverbs. A patient man is better than a strong man, for he who restrains his anger is better than he who captures a city. Likewise there. He who refrains from uttering a harsh word is prudent; but a patient man is rich in wisdom; a faint-hearted man, however, is exceedingly foolish. Likewise. Every work of the humble is manifest before God, for the impious will perish in the day of evils. Likewise there. A humble response averts anger. And again in Isaiah. To whom shall I look, says the Lord, except upon the humble, and the quiet, and those trembling at my words? In the Gospel. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. In the Epistle of James. Humble yourselves before the face of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

CHAPTER XIII.—On wisdom. In Proverbs. The wise will possess glory, and the foolish divide insult among themselves. Likewise there. Wisdom is the ornament of youths, but gray hair is the glory of elders. Likewise there. The heart of the wise will possess understanding. Likewise there. A wise man is better than a strong man, and a man possessing prudence is better than a large field. Likewise there. Blessed is the wise man who in his wisdom will meditate on truth and justice; in his understanding he has pondered the circumspection of God. Likewise there. A wise man will be silent until the time; but the lascivious and imprudent will not keep the time. Likewise there. The wise man makes himself affable in his words. Likewise there. A pious man abides in wisdom like the sun; but a fool will be changed like the moon. Likewise there. The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, and the heart of fools is in a house of luxury. Likewise there. A learned man has taught many, and is gentle to his own soul. In Job. For wisdom is to fear the Lord, but to abstain from evil knowledge.

CHAPTER XIV.—On the conduct of young men. i. In Ecclesiastes. Son, from your youth receive instruction, and you will find wisdom even into old age. Likewise there. Son, in your youth test your soul, and if it is worthless, do not give it power. For not every kind of thing pleases every soul. Likewise there. Young man, speak in your own cause, so that when questioned your answer may have a head. Be ignorant of many things at once, and while seeking, do not presume to speak in the midst of great men, and where there are elders, do not speak much; before hail comes lightning, and before a modest man comes grace. CHAPTER XV.—On not swearing, and not speaking falsely, and not lying. * In Leviticus. Do not accustom your mouth to swearing; for there are many pitfalls in it, and do not mix with names, for you will be diminished by them; for just as a servant is continually diminished by a bruise, so every swearer and namer will not be cleansed from all sin. Likewise. A man who swears much will be filled with iniquity, and plague does not depart from his house, and if he swears vainly, he will not be justified. In the Gospel. You have heard that it was said to the ancients, you shall not perjure yourself, but you shall render your oaths to the Lord? But I say to you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is the throne of God, nor by earth, because it is the footstool of his feet, nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

Let your speech be: Yes, yes; No, no. But what is excessive is from evil. In Proverbs. A false witness, unjust, summons and brings judgments against brothers. Likewise there. A swift witness will have an iniquitous tongue. Likewise there. And a faithful witness will draw his soul from evils; but a deceitful false one burns. Likewise there. A changeable man cuts his tongue in evils; a false witness will not go unpunished, who, when he accuses unjustly, does not escape. Likewise there. A lying witness will perish, but an obedient man speaks cautiously. Likewise there. A club, and a sword, and an arrow are harmful, and so is a foolish man who gives false testimony against his friend. Likewise there. A lying tongue hates truth, but an incontinent mouth creates seditions. In Wisdom. A mouth that lies kills the soul. Do not wish to lie any lie, for its habit is not good. Likewise there. A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar. In Jeremiah. Every lie is not of truth. In the Psalm. Destroy those who speak falsehood.

CHAPTER XVI — Against Fornication. In Proverbs. A woman, however, captures the precious souls of men. Will one bind fire in his bosom, and yet not burn his garments? Or will one walk upon burning coals, and yet not burn his feet? Likewise there. The adulterer, on account of the poverty of his mind, acquires the destruction of his soul, sorrows, and shameful acts; moreover, his disgrace will not be erased. An iniquitous thought is an abomination to the Lord. The words of the saints are chaste. Likewise there. The father of a man who loves wisdom will rejoice; but he who supports prostitutes will lose his wealth. In Ecclesiastes. Do not give your soul to fornication in that one, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance. Likewise. Wine and women cause even the wise to apostatize, and they reprove the sensible; and he who joins himself to fornicators will be vile rot, and worms will inherit him. In the Gospel. Everyone who looks at a woman with desire for her has already committed adultery in his heart. Likewise there. Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries a woman divorced by her husband commits adultery. In Exodus. And you shall make linen breeches for them, to cover the private parts of the body from the loins to the knees.

CHAPTER XVII — On Continence of the Mouth. In Proverbs. Strife stirs up hatred, but friendship protects all who do not contend. Paul to Timothy. Shun profane novelties of words, for they greatly contribute to impiety, and their speech creeps like a cancer. In Psalm 174. A talkative man will not be directed upon the earth. In Proverbs. From much speaking you will not escape sin; but sparing your lips, you will be wise. Likewise there. He who uses many words harms his own soul. Likewise there. Making yourself silent, you seem to be wise. Likewise there. He who answers a word before he hears, that is folly and a reproach to him. Likewise there. Death and life are in the hands of the tongue; he who is continent will eat its fruit. Likewise there. He who guards his mouth and tongue preserves his soul from distress. Likewise there. If you see a man swift in words, know that he has more hope as a fool than that man. Likewise there. Do not be silent in your tongue, and useless, and remiss in your works. Likewise there. He who is a whisperer in all things, and not necessary, will be hated. Likewise there. The silent and sensible man will be honored with honor. Likewise there. In the midst of the sensible, keep the word of the time. In the midst of those deliberating, be assiduous. Likewise there. Do not accustom your mouth to indiscipline, for there is a word of sin there.

CHAPTER XVIII — That Drunkenness Must Be Avoided. i. In Proverbs. Wine is a wanton thing, and drunkenness is injurious; but every fool is mingled with these. Likewise there. Do not be a wine-bibber, nor stretch yourself out to mend the flesh; for every drunkard and fornicator will beg, and will be clothed in torn rags, and every sleepy one. Likewise there. For if you give your eyes to cups and goblets, you will walk last, more naked than a hair. Likewise there. Powerful men who are wrathful should not drink wine, lest when they have drunk, they forget wisdom and cannot judge rightly for the lowly. Likewise there. Thorns grow in the hands of a drunkard. In Ecclesiastes. Wine and women cause wise men to apostatize, and they reprove the senseless; and he who joins himself to fornicators will be worthless rot, and worms will inherit him. Likewise there. A drunken and erring woman is great wrath, and her shame and foulness are not covered. Likewise there. For a disciplined man, a little wine, and in sleeping he will not labor from it, and he will not feel the pain of wakefulness. Likewise there. Do not provoke those who love wine, for wine has destroyed many. As fire tests hard iron, so wine will reprove the hearts of the proud; a balanced life for men is wine, not drunkenness. Wine was created for joy, not for drunkenness; from the beginning, wine drunk in moderation is an exultation of soul and heart.

Much wine drunk produces irritation, and anger, and many ruins, the minds of drunkards being easily inflamed. In Ecclesiasticus. It is better to go into a house of mourning than into a house of drinking. Paul to the Ephesians. Do not be drunk with wine, in which there is luxury, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Likewise to the Corinthians. Not drunkards, not slanderers, will possess the kingdom of God. In Proverbs. Do not attend to the deceit of a harlot woman, who for a time fattens your throat; but in the end she will be more bitter than gall to youths, and sharper than a sword sharpened on both sides. Likewise there. Do not be too much with another’s woman, nor join in embraces with her who is not yours. Likewise there. Son, let not the desire of beauty overcome you, nor be captivated by your eyes, nor be carried away by your eyelids; what is the price of a harlot but that of a single loaf? Likewise there. As a moth destroys a garment, and a worm wood, so an evil woman will destroy a man. Likewise there. Do not look upon a woman of many desires; lest you fall into her snares. Do not be constant with a dancing girl, nor listen to her, lest you perish in her enchantment. Likewise there. Do not give power over your soul to a woman, lest she tread upon your strength, and you be confounded. Do not give your soul to fornicators in any way, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance. Do not wander in the vices of the city, nor wander in its streets; turn your face away from a painted woman, and do not gaze upon another’s beauty.

Every harlot is trampled like dung in the road. Many who have admired the beauty of another’s wife have been rejected. For her conversation burns like fire. Do not recline on a couch with another’s wife, and do not argue with her over wine, lest your heart incline toward her and you slide into ruin through bloodshed. CHAPTER XIX. — On correcting ignorant children. i. In Proverbs. He who spares the rod hates his son; he who loves diligently instructs. Likewise there. The shame of an untaught son is not hidden. Likewise there. Do not cease to correct a child, for if you strike him with a rod, he will not die; you will indeed strike him with a rod, but you will free his soul from death. Likewise there. Instruct your son, and he will gladden you and give adornment to your soul. Likewise there. The youth who is with a holy man, his path is straight; the ear hears, the eye sees, and the works of the Lord are both. In Ecclesiasticus. Do you have sons? Instruct them from their childhood. Do you have daughters? Guard their bodies, and do not show them a cheerful face. Likewise there. He who loves his son frequently applies the whip to him, so that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not knock at the doors of neighbors; he who gives [instruction] to his son will be praised in him, and in the midst of friends will be honored in him. Likewise there. He who teaches his son with zeal sends an enemy; the father is dead, as if not dead; for he leaves a likeness after him. Likewise there.

An untamed horse goes into the brambles; an undisciplined son rushes headlong. Bend his neck in youth, and strike his sides while he is still pliable, lest he grow up and become hardened, and not obey you, and be a grief to your soul. In Ecclesiastes. Be constant with a holy man, whomever you know to preserve the fear of God; according to your ability, beware of your neighbor, and consult with the wise and prudent. CHAPTER XX. — Just measures and weights. i. In Deuteronomy. There shall not be in your house a large weight and a small one; there shall not be in your house a large measure and a small one; but let the weight and the measure be just for you, so that you may be for many days upon the land which the Lord your God will give you as your portion, because every one who does unjust things is abominable to the Lord. In Proverbs. An unjust balance is an abomination before the Lord; but an equal weight is acceptable to him. Likewise there. A double weight is an abomination to the Lord, and a deceitful balance is not good before him.

CHAPTER XXI. — On Vows. Likewise there: As soon as you have vowed a vow to the Lord, you will not delay in fulfilling it; therefore, what you have vowed, fulfill; it is better not to vow than to have vowed and not to pay. In Ecclesiastes: The fool raises his voice in laughter; but a wise man will scarcely smile silently. Likewise there: Indignation is better than laughter, because the face will be delighted; the heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, and the heart of fools in a house of luxury. In Deuteronomy: There shall be no man's things upon a woman, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment, because it is an abomination to the Lord who does these things. Likewise there: Parents shall not die for their children, nor shall children die for their parents; but each one shall die for his own sin. Paul to the Ephesians: And you, parents, do not provoke your children to anger, but nourish them in the discipline and correction of the Lord. In the prophet Hosea: Sow justice for yourselves, and harvest the fruit of life; seek for yourselves the light of justice, wait upon the Lord until the fruit of his justice comes to you; harvest it. In Proverbs: Who boasts that he has a clean heart, or who will dare to say that he is pure from sins? Likewise there: Son, at your dead one shed tears, and as if having suffered harsh things, begin to weep, and according to judgment cover his body, and do not despise his burial; because of the delay, bitterly mourn his grief for one day, and console yourself on account of the sadness.

CHAPTER XXII. — On Not Defrauding, and on Not Boasting. i. In Exodus: You shall not commit theft, and you shall not lie. In Proverbs: He who associates with a thief hates his own soul. Paul to the Corinthians: Not thieves, not covetous, not drunkards, not slanderers, not plunderers will possess the kingdom of God. In Proverbs: Be confident with your whole heart in the Lord, but do not exalt yourself in your own wisdom. Likewise there: Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil, then there will be health for your body, and diligence for your bones. Likewise there: I saw a man who considered himself wise in his own sight; but he had more hope, being more foolish than that one. In Isaiah: Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight. Paul to the Romans: For those who say they are wise become foolish. To the Corinthians: Where is the wise man, where is the scribe, where is the inquirer of this world? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Likewise there: Let no one deceive himself. If anyone seems to be wise in this world, let him become foolish, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written: I will catch the wise in their own cunning; and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. In Ecclesiastes: It is better for you to be told, come up to me, than to be humiliated before a powerful man. In Exodus: For your murmuring is not against us, but against God. Paul to the Thessalonians: He who despises a man does not despise the man, but God. To the Romans.

For just as through the disobedience of one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one many are made righteous. CHAPTER XXIII. — On Not Investigating Higher Things, and on Not Listening to Heretics. In Proverbs: He who trusts in falsehood feeds the winds; he himself follows flying birds; for he will leave the path of his vineyard, and will wander the tracks of the cultivation of his field; he walks through dry and deserted places, and land set in droughts; he gathers sterility with his hands. Likewise there: Therefore withdraw from alien water, and do not drink from an alien spring, so that you may live a long time, and years of life will be added to you. Likewise there: He who pursues vanities lacks senses. Do not add to his commandments, lest you be reproved and be a liar. In Ecclesiastes: Do not seek things higher than yourself, and do not scrutinize things stronger, but always consider those things which the Lord commands you; and in many of his matters there will be no need; for suspicion of them leads many astray, and detains their sense in vanity. In the book of Wisdom: We estimate with difficulty those things which are on earth, and we find those which are in sight with labor; but who has investigated those things which are in the heavens? But who knows your sense, unless you have given judgment?

CHAPTER XXIV. — On Fasting. In Ecclesiastes. He who is baptized by a dead man, what has his washing profited him? So also a man who fasts in his sins, and then does the same again. What has he profited by humbling himself? Who will hear his prayer? A salutary sacrifice is to attend to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity. In the Gospel. But when you fast, do not become sad, like the hypocrites. For they disfigure their faces, so that they appear to men as fasting. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward; but you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men as fasting, but to your Father, who sees in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. CHAPTER XXV. — On the Example of the Ant or Bee for Man without Laziness of Labor. In Proverbs. Go to the ant, O sluggard, and emulate, seeing its ways, and be wiser than it. For it, since it possesses no field, nor has anyone compelling it, nor is under a master, how does it prepare food in summer? But it makes a plentiful store at harvest time. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious it is, and what holy work it earns. Whose labors kings and commoners alike bring forth for health; it is gracious in all things, and glorious; and though it is weak in strength, it has been brought forth preaching wisdom. How long will you lie idle, O sluggard? When will you rise? You sleep a little, you sit a little. You truly doze a little, and a little you clasp your breast with your hands.

Then poverty will come to you like a bad traveler, but need, like a good runner, will flee from you. Likewise there: The lazy man, when reproached, does not blush. Similarly, those who exchange wheat at harvest time. Likewise there: Desires kill the lazy man, for his hand does not intend to do anything. Likewise: The lazy man seeks excuses and says: There is a lion in the streets, and in the streets there are murderers. Likewise there: As a door turns on its hinge, so the lazy man turns in his bed. Likewise there: The lazy man seems wiser to himself than the one who carries a message to the crowd. CHAPTER XXVI. — On the Fool. 1. A foolish man builds evils for himself, and on his lips he stores up fire. Faithful lips do not suit a fool, nor do lying lips suit a just man. Likewise there: Why does wealth abound for a fool, but wisdom cannot be possessed by the senseless? Likewise: A foolish son is a grief to his father and a sorrow to his mother. Likewise there: Wisdom is not desired by one who lacks sense; for it is rather called imprudence. Likewise there: The mouth of a foolish man is his ruin; his lips are a snare for his soul. Likewise there: A stone is heavy, and sand is barely bearable, but the anger of a fool is heavier than both. Likewise there: As a dog that returns to its vomit becomes hateful, so a fool, having returned to his wickedness in his sins. Likewise there: He who is diminished in skin thinks of empty things, and an imprudent and erring man thinks foolish things. The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and it will hold no house of knowledge.

A fool's wisdom is closed, and the words of a sensible man are worthy of being told. Fetters. The teaching of fools is a burden, and like chains on the right hand; a fool lifts up his voice in laughter, and a wise man will scarcely smile silently. Likewise there: In the mouth of fools is their heart, and in the heart of the wise is their mouth. He who leads a fool to a wise man is like one who glues a potsherd. Likewise there: It is easier to carry sand, salt, and a mass of iron than an imprudent and impious fool. Likewise there: Have no counsel with fools, for they cannot keep it. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: A fool speaks foolishly, and his heart understands vain things. CHAPTER XXVII. — That Wrath Must Be Laid Aside. In Proverbs: A blessed soul is every simple one; but a spirited or wrathful man does not act honorably. Likewise there: A fool proclaims his anger on the same day, but a cunning man hides his insult. Likewise there: There are those who wound by speaking, like swords. A wrathful man acts without counsel; but a prudent man endures much. Anger will destroy even the wise, but a humble response turns away anger. Likewise: A wrathful man prepares quarrels; but a patient man soothes even future ones. Likewise: Do not be a friend to a spirited man. Do not tarry with a wrathful friend, lest you learn his ways and take a snare for your soul; a fool pours out all his anger, but a wise man dispenses it in parts. Likewise: A spirited man digs up contention, but a wrathful man has swallowed up sins.

In Ecclesiastes: An angry man shunned strife, and a sinful man disturbed his friends. In the midst of those having peace, he sends slander. Likewise there: Jealousy and anger shorten days, and before time, thought brings on old age. Likewise there: Do not hasten in your spirit to become angry, because anger rests in the bosom of fools. Paul to the Ephesians: Now put away from yourselves all anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, talkativeness. In the Gospel: Everyone who becomes angry with his brother without cause will be guilty before judgment. Likewise: Whoever, however, says to his brother "Racba" will be guilty before the council; whoever, however, says "Fool" will be guilty of the fire of Gehenna. CHAPTER XXVIII. — Here mixed. i. In Ecclesiastes: Be gentle in hearing a word, so that you may understand, and speak a response with wisdom. In Proverbs: A prudent servant will manage the imprudence of masters, and among brothers will divide a portion. Likewise there: A deceitful son will have nothing good, but for a wise servant, his action will be prosperous. In Ecclesiastes: If you have a faithful servant, let him be to you as your own soul, and treat him like a brother, because you bought him with the blood of your soul. If you injure him unjustly, and he, raising himself up, departs, whom do you seek, and by what way do you seek him? Likewise there: In Proverbs: The commandment of the law is a lamp, just as unripe grapes are harmful to teeth, and smoke to eyes, so is iniquity to those who practice it. Likewise there: But a man kills himself through his own malice. Likewise there.

Through which a person sins, through these he is also tormented. Likewise there: The Lord established man and left him in his own free will; He added commandments and precepts, if he is willing to keep the commandments and make his faith peaceful; He set water and fire, "to whichever you wish, stretch forth your hand"; before man are life and death, good and evil; what pleases him will be given to him. Likewise there: Just as a moth harms a garment, and a worm harms wood, so sadness harms the heart. Likewise: A joyful heart produces good will; but in a sad man, the bones wither. In Jeremiah: Cursed is the man who places hope in man and strengthens the flesh of his arm, and his heart has withdrawn from the Lord. Likewise there: Those who trust in man are cursed, since God made him nothing. In Ecclesiastes: Do not fail those weeping in their assembly, and walk with those mourning; do not be slow to visit the sick, for you will be strengthened in love. Paul to the Romans: I make my body pale and subject it to servitude, lest after preaching to others, I myself be found reprobate. In Proverbs: The Lord will destroy the houses of the proud. Likewise there: He who builds his house with pride seeks ruin. Likewise there: A house is built with wisdom and erected with understanding; with prudence, granaries are filled, full of all good and precious things. Likewise there: For you should not bring every man into your house; for there are many snares of the deceitful. In the Song of Songs: Beware of little foxes that destroy.

Woe to those who prophesy from their own heart, and altogether do not see, like foxes in the desert. In the Gospel: Others labored, and you have entered into their labors. Likewise there: Whoever dismisses his wife, except for the cause of fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. Likewise there: If your brother sins against you, rebuke him, and if he does penance, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turns to you, saying, "I repent," forgive him. Likewise there: He who sows good seed is the Son of man; the field, however, is this world; the good seed, indeed, are the sons of the kingdom. For the tares are the sons of iniquity; the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest, however, is the end of the age; and the reapers are the angels. Just as, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the consummation of the age. In Solomon: There are six things which the Lord hates, and a seventh which His soul detests: a haughty eye, a lying tongue, hands shedding innocent blood, a heart devising wicked thoughts, feet swift to run to evil, one uttering a lie, a false witness, and one who sows discord among brothers.

CHAPTER 29. — Testimonies of the Fathers. There are four disturbances of the human soul, that is, desire, joy, fear, sadness. The soul itself is memory, and the power which is called memory. Likewise there. There are eight principal vices which infest the human race. First, gastrimargia, which is gluttony of the belly; second, fornication; third, philargyria, that is, avarice, or love of money; fourth, anger; fifth, sadness; sixth, acedia, that is, anxiety, or weariness of heart; seventh, cenodoxia, that is, boasting, or vainglory; eighth, pride (In the Book of Conferences, namely, of Cassian). CHAPTER 30. — Testimonies from the Sayings of Evagrius to the Brethren. 1. Just as a flame burns a forest, so hunger extinguishes evil visions. Likewise there. A sleepy monk falls into evils, but he who watches like a sparrow will be. Likewise there. Just as fire melts wax, so good vigils melt away the worst thoughts. There. He who loves silver will not see knowledge, and he who gathers it will be darkened. There. Just as fire tests gold and silver, so temptation tests the heart of a monk. Likewise there. Better is poverty with knowledge than riches with ignorance. There. Just as a crow flies from its nest, so an unclean soul from its body. There. Just as the African wind on the sea, so fury from the heart of a man. Likewise there. Better is a secular man serving a brother in infirmity than a monk not having mercy on his neighbor.

A lazy monk murmurs much, and a sleepy one accuses his own headache. A double-tongued monk disturbs the brothers, but a faithful one brings rest. Better is a gentle secular than an angry monk or a spirited one. A gentle monk God loves, but a turbulent one He repels from Himself. Humility precedes charity, but love precedes knowledge. For just as the morning star in the sky, and as nothing in paradise, so in a meek soul is a pure mind. For one who seeks out feasts, the light is extinguished, and his soul will see darkness. Set your bread by weight, and drink your water by measure, and the spirit of fornication will flee from you. Give wine to the elders, and bring food to the sick, because they have worn down their flesh in their youth. I have seen an angry old man, and one exalted in his time, but a young man had more hope than he. He who loves the bee eats its honeycomb, and gathering it, will be filled with honey.

CHAPTER XXXI. — Testimonies from the book of Saint Martin, not the bishop of Tours, but that father of monks. Although you have praised the weak man immediately, he will be worth more. If you have seemed to admire one carrying a light burden, he succumbs. If you say to a lazy man that he is swift, he will immediately fly. Although this plague of pride is generally dangerous to many, it is no more to be feared in others than in those who either spiritually toward perfection of virtues, or carnally toward an abundance of vices. There the stronger wind of elation is always, where there is also the stronger height of honor. We easily believe, and before we are judged we grow angry; for many are driven by suspicions, interpreting worse from another's face and laughter, they grow angry in the nights. The curious man who inquires what is said about himself, and drags out malicious talk, even if spoken in secret, disturbs himself; while they strive to interpret, they are brought to the point of seeming. He passes over many injuries, and does not accept most, either because he does not know them, or if he knows, he turns them into sport and jest. If the one who did the injury is a good man, do not repay; if he is bad, do not imitate him; yield to the more prudent, forgive the fool. Each one has a kingly spirit within himself, so that he wishes license to be given to himself over others, but not over himself. It is not fitting for one who sins to correct sins: for if the wise man were to become as angry as the indignity of the crimes demands, he should not be angry, but mad. Nothing is more glorious than to exchange anger for friendship.

If someone is angry, you provoke him with kindness instead; the quarrel immediately falls away. The remedies of physicians are beneficial not during the accesses of illnesses, but during their remissions. For often the face of falsehood retains the appearance of truth. Often falsehood is concealed under the appearance of truth. For just as sometimes a friend shows a forehead, and a flatterer shows a flattering one, so it is colored with verisimilitude. Praise sparingly, blame more sparingly; for excessive praise is as reprehensible as immoderate blame. A prudent man never feeds his mind with idleness; he sometimes has leisure, but never a mind that is unbound. The virtue of humility is sought not by the elation of words, but by the purity of the mind. Also, abstain from shameful words, because their license nourishes impudence. Make your conversations subtle rather than frequent. You will make all men your equals. If you do not despise your inferiors by being proud, you will not fear your superiors by living rightly. Be kind to all, flattering to none; familiar with few; yet fair to all. To one who is eager and teachable for wisdom, impart what you know without arrogance to the one who asks; what you do not know, ask to have imparted to you without concealing your ignorance. A just man does not betray secrets; for he is silent about things that must be kept silent, and speaks of things that must be spoken; and thus he has deep peace and secure tranquility, while other evils are overcome by that man's evils. Magnanimity consists in neither fearing a man nor being audacious.

CHAPTER XXXII. — From the book of Saint Ambrose. i. In the vine is religion, in the oil is peace, in the rose the modesty of sacred virginity blossoms. My brother is white and red; white by merit, because he is the splendor of the father; red, because he is the offspring of the virgin; in him the color of both natures shines and glows. Chastity also makes angels; he who has preserved it is an angel; he who has lost it is a devil. A virgin is she who marries God; a harlot is she who makes gods. Hence the sons of Noah covered their genitals with reversed footsteps. What the shameless woman saw, the modest man blushed at, the pious man covered, lest it offend if they themselves had seen. How great is the power of wine, that what the flood did not lay bare, wine laid bare! For he who teaches ought to excel over him who is taught. It is more tolerable to have a virgin mind than a virgin body. Shadow for the carnal Jews, image for us, truth for those who will rise again. For we know these three things according to the law: shadow, image, truth; shadow in the law, image in the Gospel, truth in the judgment; and therefore through Moses the law by shadow, as through a man, the figure through the law, through Jesus more truly. What is the gazophylacium? The consolation of the faithful, the expense of the poor, the rest of the needy. Sins, moreover, are either forgiven, or blotted out, or covered over; they are forgiven through grace, blotted out through blood, covered over through charity. What David says: "Deliver me from bloodsheds," that is, he asks to be freed from mortal sins. Do not subject yourself to the powers of the flesh, whom God wished to be free.

You have no excuse concerning the desire for marriage; it is a matter of pleasure, not of necessity. If you are kind to the needy, you will be great before God. Because you call God father, show this in your actions. A good mind is the chorus of God; an evil mind is the chorus of demons. As many vices as the soul has, so many masters it has. The foundation of piety is continence; the summit of piety, however, is friendship. Do not yield to anyone persuading you to do what is not good. It is most wicked for sinners to come together when they sin. Many foods hinder charity, and incontinence in foods makes a man unclean. It is not foods that are introduced through the mouth that pollute a man, but those things that are brought forth from evil habits. Seek from God those things which you cannot receive from man. It is better to cast a stone in vain than a word. The wise man will be brief in speech, prudent in judgment; a long narration is a sign of inexperience. When you preside over men, remember that you have God, and when judging men, know that you yourself will be judged by God. Honor a wise man as a living image of God. Do not honor anyone for that reason who has no wealth; it is difficult for a rich man to be saved. You will never be wise if you think yourself wise. God does not hear the prayer of a man who does not hear the needy. He who does not obey the wise will not obey God. Do not take what you have not placed, but let what is yours suffice. Flee drunkenness as disgraceful, for he who is like a beast of the belly is overcome.

How much you labor for the body, if you labored as much for the soul, you would be wise. Honor a philosopher, as a minister of God, after God. To minister to others is better than to be ministered to by others. It is better to die of hunger than to stain the soul through incontinence of the belly. One who speaks of God to those to whom it is not permitted is to be considered a traitor to God. It is not true that he worships God who harms man. It is better to have nothing than to have much and share with no one. If you do not give to the needy, when you are able, you will not receive from God when you ask. CHAPTER XXXIII. — Testimonies from the book of Prosper. i. If my rusticity made me weak, I believed that by your faith, who commanded it, I would become fit. The treatment of necessary questions, even if it does not instruct the mind of the one who finds what he seeks, exercises the intellect of the one seeking salvation. Knowledge, just as without the gift of God, which is charity, it puffs up, so, if charity is mingled with it, it edifies. Thus the just are separated from the unjust in eternity, so that neither do the rewarded ever finish their reward, nor the damned their punishment. For just as bodily satiety holds those who are full equally, although each has received food not equally but according to his capacity, so all the saints, even if they are distinguished by some diversity of their ranks, will all be perfect in one beatitude, because they will be blessed in one perfection. Nor are words to be sought from us on the day of judgment, but deeds.

Whoever will not have believed, not having faith, will be able to have neither justice of heart nor salvation. The speech of a pontiff ought to be so weighty that no one, however unskilled, is excluded from its understanding. A sound mind ought to seek incorporeally the fruit of obedience more than to avoid the reproach of unjust detraction. When truth has cried out from any quarter, it is not to be attributed to human ingenuity, but to God. Founded on the virtue of obedience and patience, they do not discuss the constitutions of their elders, but carry them out. For the sake of public appearance they already flee patiently, and in their mind they conceal the poison of anger, ready to harm when they have found the time to harm. Thus every man ought to be treated—sometimes by teaching, sometimes by exhorting, sometimes by bearing with him, sometimes by rebuking—so that, with the help of Christ, no one ought to despair of salvation in this life. Argue, beseech, rebuke with all patience and teaching, as if to say: argue with equals, beseech elders, rebuke juniors. One who is gently chastised shows reverence to the chastiser; but one offended by the harshness of excessive rebuke receives neither the rebuke nor salvation. Those who cannot be rebuked by their own pious rebuke are to be borne with gentle piety. Just as virtue is burdensome to the vicious, so vicious pleasure is bitter to the friend of virtue.

For as long as a person is curious about the affairs of others, he remains ignorant of his own sins, which he ought to know and lament; but if he turns to himself and looks upon his own conduct, he does not seek what to reproach specifically in others, because he has in himself what to bind. Therefore we ought not easily to accuse our brothers, but to groan. For those whose sins are hidden from human knowledge, neither confessed by themselves nor made public by others, if they are unwilling to confess or correct them, they have God, whom they have as witness, and they will have him also as avenger. He is insulting who accuses falsely; and he accuses falsely who offers insult. Indeed, malice is secure, which, not having heavenly things, provides earthly ones to those who fight strenuously. Those riches are to be sought by us which can both adorn and fortify us; for this reason, therefore, they are to be shunned by those who fight for God. Those who wish to have riches with their whole heart do not seek them without labor, do not find them without difficulty, do not keep them without care, do not possess them without anxious delight, do not lose them without sorrow. He who enjoys idle leisure, unless he lives spiritually, lives like cattle. No one possesses God unless he is possessed by God; let him first be God's possession, so that God may become his possession and portion. The creator of all, to whom nothing that he has made can be equaled, does not deign to be possessed along with those things he has created. Whoever wishes to possess God must renounce the world, so that God may be for him a blessed possession.

He does the work of God who does not abandon things consecrated to God, not out of any covetousness, but with the intention of the most faithful stewardship. Therefore, possessions which priests receive, taken from the people, are no longer to be believed as things of the world, but of God. Adam and Eve were not ashamed because they were outwardly protected by divine covering; and before sin they were naked and were not ashamed, because they had committed nothing against the will of God for which they would be confounded. Therefore, open lust would not move those fallen from their creator into a creature with divine affection, unless secret pride had first corrupted them. The lust of the flesh was fulfilled by them in that they tasted of the forbidden tree; the lust of the eyes, in that they desired to open their eyes; and worldly ambition, in that they believed they could become what God is. For health becomes sweeter when pain torments, and the bitterness of illness commends the sweetness of lost health. Adam made us liable to all evils through his own fault, from which the coming of Christ freed us through grace. Any delights, if received without desire, hinder, and often vile foods impede the progress of abstinence if taken greedily. Moderate use of wine strengthens a weak stomach; drunkenness weakens both mind and body. Those who... do nothing against abstinence.

They do not take it for drunkenness, but only for the health of the body, nor does pleasure offer this to them, but infirmity permits it. For if I refresh any arriving guests by interrupting my fast, I not only do not fast, but I perform an act of charity. Moreover, if I sadden spiritual brothers, whom I know, by my remission through my abstinence, my abstinence is not to be called virtue, but vice. Just as virtue, if it is true, justifies a mind truly clinging to it, so a feigned virtue condemns it. The mind cannot have the kingdom of virtues unless it has first shaken off the yoke of vices. The envious man has as many just tormentors as the envied man had praisers. Since excellence creates the envied man, envy will be the punishment of sin; nor can a remedy be applied by man to one whose wound is hidden. For people speak what they love, they hear with pleasure what they turn over in constant thoughts. Indeed, it is thought which, just as it defiles the mind if it is foul, so, if it is honest, it purifies it. It is not foul thoughts that render the mind sordid, but sordid thoughts arise from a sordid mind. For with chaste ears, obscene speech fades with its sound, nor does it break into the secret of a chaste heart. Through the mouth of the flesh, the pleasure of taste does not break into the mind; nor does foul speech burst forth from the mind unless the mind first willingly corrupts itself.

Each person frequently has on their lips the names of those whose desires they carry wounded in their heart, and the shamefulness which they are ashamed to practice in deed, they hold guilty in their mind, not by human judgment, but by divine. Consider, I beseech you, how the envious are to be punished by their own evils, whom even the goods of others punish. What profit is it to anyone, if outwardly, where he can be thought great, he shines, and inwardly, where God alone sees, he is squalid. CHAPTER XXXIV — On Fasting Fasts, abstinences, vigils, alms, and other things of this kind ought to increase good. For not to conceal is a sin. Nothing keeps us so immune from every sin as the fear of punishment and the love of God; those puffed up through the pride of vain talkativeness desire their own words to be praised more than to be done; nor are they concerned about the holiness of the deed, but about the elegance of the polished speech. For from that part a person sins, from which he loves God less; if we love Him with our whole heart, there will be nothing in us by which we serve the desire of sin. Just as we wish help to be given to us, so let us give help to others according to our ability; or if ability is lacking, let us 'buy' the will to help. If I see someone sinning, and not only do I not rebuke him, but I even consent to the sinner, I make myself a participant in his damnation, and I sin in all who sin, when I do not rebuke those whom I know have sinned, out of a certain malignity of a cruel mind. He who loves a friend for the sake of any temporal advantage is proven not to love a friend, but the advantage.

CHAPTER XXXV. — From the Book of Sentences. True innocence is that which harms neither itself nor another, and no one sins against another before sinning against himself. Men are to be loved in such a way that their errors are not loved, because it is one thing to love what they are made, another to hate what they do. The confession of one who blesses is true when the sound is both of the mouth and of the heart; but to speak well and live wickedly is nothing other than to condemn oneself by one's own voice. He has good understanding who rightly understands what is to be done, as one without fear of wisdom. A bad death is not to be thought such when a good life has preceded it. Whatever evils are inflicted upon the just by the unjust through the Lord is not a punishment for crime, but a test of virtue; for a good man, even if he rules, is a servant. The proud devil led proud man to death through pride, the humble Christ led obedient man back to life through humility. For just as the former, exalted, fell and cast down the one consenting to him, so the latter, humbled, raised up the one believing in him. Perfect hatred is that which lacks neither justice nor knowledge, that is, that you neither hate men on account of their vices, nor love vices on account of men. Those who are in iniquity are in great poverty, having neither the work of justice nor the treasures of wisdom; but those who serve the Lord acquire those goods which cannot perish. Confession of sin is good if healing follows it. For what use is it to uncover a wound and not apply medicine?

The first death holds the sorrowing soul in the body, and it is commonly held in both parts, so that what the soul does not wish, it suffers from its own body. When you do good, do it cheerfully; for if you do something good sadly, it becomes worse than what you do. For humble confession in evil deeds is better than proud boasting in good ones. No unjust person does good, even if what he does is good, because the spirit of fear is of no use where there is no spirit of charity. Equity of mind is better than health of body. For the end of the law is Christ, in whom the law of justice is not taken up, but fulfilled. Just as the earth expects rain and light from heaven, so man ought to expect mercy and truth from God. The first salvation is to avoid sin, the second is not to despair of pardon; for he perishes forever who does not have recourse to the remedy of penance before a merciful judge. The virgin of the Christian faith is kindled at three times: evening, morning, and midday; for in the evening the Lord on the cross, in the morning in the resurrection, at midday in the ascension. One pertains to the patience of the slain, another to the life of the resurrected, the third to the glory of majesty sitting at the right hand of the Father. Tribulations stir men so that the vessels of election are emptied of wickedness and filled with grace. The sadness of the unjust penitent is better than the joy of the unjust doer. It is good to be conquered by truth; let truth overcome pleasure for correction.

For even the unwilling is overcome by it itself. Those who worship idols are like those who see vain things in dreams. But if their souls are awake, one understands, when it has been made, and does not worship what he himself has made. Those who thirst for God ought to thirst with their whole substance, that is, with both soul and flesh; because God gives His bread to souls, that is, the word of truth; and God provides the necessities of the flesh, because He Himself feeds both, because He Himself made both. Two loves make two cities in the whole world; the love of God makes Jerusalem; the love of the world makes Babylon. Let each one therefore question himself, and he will find of which city he is a citizen. There is no difficulty in scarcity, except when there is cupidity in having, and therefore only that is rightly loved which is never well admitted. In the first man it was evident that man's free will availed for death, but in the second, that God's help availed for life. For the first man is not man; the second, however, is God and man; sin indeed was committed by abandoning God, righteousness is not achieved without God. The Lord says: I am the way, and the truth, and the life, that is, by the way one comes to me, in me one arrives, in me one remains. A good odor is a good reputation, which each one has had by the works of a good life, while he follows the footsteps of Christ: he anoints his feet, as it were, with the scent of precious ointment. The labor of the pious is an exercise, not a condemnation. The just are born from God, not from men, since by being born, not by ascending, one is just, whence also the regenerated are called sons of God.

It is one thing to migrate in body, another to migrate in heart; to migrate in body is when the body changes place; to migrate in heart is when you change the affection of your heart. If you love one thing and loved another, you are not where you were.