Virtue, Knowledge, and the Perils of the Soul

A stone is worthless in a golden setting.

Much is covered by the flesh of fools, for their ecstasy is crushed. If the ecstasy of fools, by which they were beside themselves for God (cf. Luke 16:15), is crushed, having become pure again, they approach God; for 'all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' One must note here that he named the thickened souls from the evil flesh of fools. So also the Lord says: 'My spirit shall not remain in these men because they are flesh' (cf. Romans 8:3).

Like a dog when it rushes upon its own vomit and becomes loathsome, so a fool, having turned back to his own sin by his own wickedness, is like a dog eating its own vomit after casting away his wickedness and turning again toward it.

Having hidden a sluggish hand in his lap, he will not be able to bring it to the mouth. If 'a tree of life grows from the fruits of righteousness' (cf. Rev 22:2), everyone hiding righteousness with unrighteousness will not eat from this tree.

Like one holding a dog's leash, so is the one presiding over another's judgment. Use this saying for those being voted for some unworthy ones in Jerusalem or by lot (cf. Prov 27:17).

Fire flourishes in many woods; but where there is no hot-tempered one, the fight rests. He said the hot-tempered, hot-tempered one.

Smooth lips cover a sad heart. A pure heart will not seize sadness; for he has driven away corrupt desires from it.

If the enemy entreats you with a loud voice, do not be persuaded by him. Our Satan sometimes entreats us, tickling us through unclean thoughts and throwing himself upon us with the smoothness of pleasure, and sometimes indeed raising a voice truly loud as if having been defeated, one whom one must not obey having the war against us.

For there are seven evils in his heart. These evils oppose the seven spirits.

A soul being in abundance plays with masters; but a soul in need, the bitter things seem sweet to it. A pure soul enjoys knowledge; but an unclean soul thinks false knowledge to be true knowledge.

Like a bird when it falls from its own nest, so a man is enslaved when he is made a stranger from his own places.

Virtue and knowledge are of the heart, from which being estranged a man falls into wickedness and ignorance and becomes a slave, since 'everyone practicing sin is a slave of sin' (John 8:34). The heart is delighted by perfumes, wines, and incenses; but the soul is shattered by accidents. The impassive Mind delights in diverse wisdom; but the empassioned mind will fall into ignorance.

Do not abandon your friend and your fellow-countryman; 'They have left me the spring of living water and have dug for themselves cisterns' (Jeremiah 2:13). Do not enter the house of your brother in misfortune; such was the one who entered the wedding feasts and did not have wedding clothes (Matthew 22:11). A near friend is better than a brother far from home. Better is the one joined to me through true knowledge than the one joined to me only through nature.

Take away his garment, for an insolent man passes by who plunders what belongs to others. This is that which is said in the Gospel: 'And from him who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away' (Luke 16:34). This shows, in my opinion, the intellectual remnants of virtues and the knowledge of God being taken from men who have used them badly.

He who plants a fig tree will eat its fruits; but he who guards his Lord will be honored. Our Lord is the fig tree; for its fruit heals leprosy. If you dishonor the fool in the midst of a sitting, you will not escape his foolishness. Not dishonoring the fool will not turn him from his foolishness, but rather you are teaching him what kind of dishonor foolishness brings to a stranger.

Knowingly recognize the souls of your flock and understand your heart with your wise flocks; for they do not hand over strength and power to a man for an age, nor from generation to generation. Attend to yourself and direct your virtues, for men do not always prevail in them, nor do they transition healthily from virtue to virtue or from knowledge to knowledge, as the human condition does not easily receive this. Since he speaks of generations regarding virtues and knowledges, according to which the saints are born, he shows through what he writes: 'A generation of wisdom, the fear of the Lord, and wealth and glory and life' (Psalm 112:3). And one should use...