An Ignorant Critic

Ἒοικας ἀγνοεῖν ὅσην ὁ ἀπράγμων βίος ἔχει τὴν εὐφροσύνην· τάχα δὲ οὐκ αὐτὸς μόνος , ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ τὸν αὐτόν σοι βίον ἐπανῃρημένοι, ἅτε μηδέποτε ταύτης γευσάμενοι καθαρῶς . Πέπαυσο τοίνυν μὴ μόνον πολυπραγμονῶν , καὶ συκοφαντῶν , ἀλλὰ καὶ τοὺς συκοφάντας συγκροτῶν. Κινδυνεύεις γὰρ εἰς ἀναλγησίαν ἐκπεπτωκώς , τὴν μὲν κακίαν περιἐπειν, τὴν δ' ἀρετὴν προπηλακίζειν. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Δεύτερον, Ἐπιστολὴ K', Μαρωνι Source: Migne PG 78.469d-472a

You appear to be ignorant of how great the joy is in the life that is far from daily business, and perhaps this applies not only to you, but even to those who live a life like yours, who never taste of that purity. Be done, then, not only with questioning something utterly foreign to you and slandering it, but also applauding those who disparage it. For you are in danger of falling into foolishness, and embroiling yourself in vices, and abusing virtue. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 2, Letter 30, To Maro

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, And The Song Of Songs

Veranus: Quid ait Salomon in Proverbiss, aut docet in Ecclesiaste, vel Cantico Canticorum? Salonius: In Proverbiis docet parvulum, et per varias sententias, instruit quasi filium. In Ecclesiaste vero jam perfectae aetatis virum imbuit, ut intelligat quia in hujus mundi rebus nihi est perpetuum, nihil gloriosum aut magnum; sed omnia sunt brevia, caduca et vana, quae cerniums. In Cantico Cnticorum jam consummatum virum atque perfectum in omnibus, et variis exornatum virtutibus, sponsi, id est, Domini nostri Jesu Christi amplexibus jungit. Salonius Viennensis, Expositio Mystica in Ecclesiasten Source: Migne PL 53.993d

Veranus: What does Solomon say in Proverbs, and what does he teach in Ecclesiastes, and what in the Song of Songs? Salonius: In Proverbs he teaches the child, and through various sentences he instructs as he would a son. But in Ecclesiastes he instructs the adult man, so that he might understand that nothing in this world is forever, that nothing is glorious and great, but everything is brief, perishing and vain, as we see. In the Song of Songs he joins the consummate man, perfect in all things, and adorned with the different virtues, with embraces to the bridegroom, that is, our Lord Jesus Christ. Salonius of Geneva, A Spiritual Exposition of Ecclesiastes

Knowledge And Toil

Φιλομαθὴς ὤν, γίνου καὶ φιλοπονος· ἡ γὰρ ψιλὴ γνῶσις, φυσιοῖ τὸν ἄνθρωπον. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.932a

If you are a lover of learning, become also a lover of toil, for he who loves knowledge alone merely puffs up the man. 1 Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works 1 1 Cor 8.1

Two Wisdoms

Nam prudentia carnis, mors est: prudentia autem spiritus, vita et pax: quoniam sapientia carnis inimica est Deo: legi enim Dei non est subjecta, nec enim potest. Ostendit quid dixerit inimica, ne quis putaret ex adverso aliud venire principium, subjungit et dicit, Legi enim Dei non est subjecta, nec enim potest. Ergo facere contra legem, hoc est inimicum esse in Deum, non quia Deo aliquid nocere potest, sed sibi potest nocere, quisquis resistit voluntati Dei, hoc est enim calcem mittere adversus stimulum. Sic est dictum: Legi enim Dei non est subjecta, neque enim potest. Tanquam si diceretur, nix non calefacit, sed resolvi potest et fervere ut calefaciat, sed cum hoc facit, jam nix non est. Sic et prudentia carnalis, cum anima pro magnis bonis temporalia bona desiderare coeperit contemnere, et spiritualia desiderare, desinit esse carnis prudentia, et spiritui non resistit. Ea namque anima cum inferiora appetit, prudentiam carnis habere dicitur; cum superiora, prudentiam spiritus, non quia prudentia carnis substantia est, qua induitur anima vel exuitur, sed ipsius animae affectatio est, quae omnino desinit cum se totam ad superna convertit. Sedulius Scotus, Collectanea in omnes B. Pauli epistolas, In Epistolam ad Romanos, Caput VIII Source: Migne PL 103.71-d

For the wisdom of the flesh is death, but the wisdom of the spirit is life and peace. Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy of God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor can it be. 1 He shows why he says 'enemy,' and lest someone think there is some other source for opposition, he adds to it and says, 'For it is not subject to the law of God, nor can it be.' Therefore to act against the law is to be an enemy of God, not because something can harm God but because one is able to harm oneself, that is, whoever resists the will of God kicks about the pricks. 2 So it was said, 'It is not subject to the law of God, nor can it be.' As if he said, snow cannot give off warmth, but it is possible to dissolve it by heating so that it does give off warmth, but when this is done it is no longer snow. So it is with the wisdom of the flesh, that when the soul begins to desire greater goods and condemns temporal goods and desires spiritual things, the wisdom of the flesh ceases, and there is no resistance to the spirit. For when the soul desires inferior things, then it is said to have the wisdom of the flesh, and when it desires higher things the wisdom of the spirit, not because the wisdom of the flesh is something that the soul puts on or puts off, but it is the state of the soul, which ceases entirely when it turns to heavenly things. Sedulius Scotus, Commentary On The Letters of Saint Paul, On the Letter to the Romans, Chapter 8 1 Rom 8.6-7 2 Acts 26.14

A Lack Of Understanding

Quod abscondisti haec a sapientibus, et prudentibus et revelasti ea parvulis. Gratias agit, exsultat in Patre, quod apostolis adventus sui aperuerit sacramenta quae ignoraverint Scribae et Pharisaei, qui sibi sapientes videntur, et in conspectu suo prudentes. Justificata est sapientia a filiis suis. Ubi pulcher sapientibus et prudentibus non insipientes et hebetes, sed parvulos, id est, humiles opposuit, ut probaret se tumorem damnasse, non acumen. Quia haec est clavis, de qua dicit: Tulistis clavem scientiae, hoc est, humilitatem fidei Christi, qua ad divinitatis ejus agnitionem pervenire potertatis, spernentes abjicere maluistis. Sanctus Beda, In Lucae Evangelium Expositio, Liber III, Caput X Source: Migne PL 92.466c-d

Because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to children. 1 He gives thanks, He exults in the Father, because His coming will have opened the mysteries to the Apostles of which the Scribes and Pharisees were ignorant, they who seemed so wise to themselves and so prudent in their own sight. 'Wisdom is justified by her sons.' 2 Here quite beautifully He does not oppose the wise and prudent with the foolish and dull, but with children, that is, those who are humble, to show that they had condemned themselves by pride not by insight. And this is the key, concerning which He says, 'You have taken away the key of knowledge.' 3 that is, the humbleness of faith in Christ, because you were able to come to the understanding of His Divinity, but you preferred to spurn it and cast it down. Saint Bede, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Book 3, Chapter 10 1 Lk 10.21 2 Lk 7.35 3 Lk 11.52

Speaking The Truth

Quod dico vobis in tenebris, dicite in lumine: et nolite timere eos, qui occidunt corpus. Quo minus dicatis in lumine, quod audistis in tenebris. Vide quoniam non solum ille transgressor est veritatis, qui palam denegat veritatem, sed etiam ille, qui propter timorem eorum, qui possunt occidere corpus, tacet veritatem. Et quid dicam? Quia propter timorem mortis tacent homines veritatem, et propter miserum ventrem, et propter spem vani honoris, in conspectu infidelium tacent homines veritatem. Utputa, eunt homines ad convivium impiorum sacerdotum, et confugiunt ad patrocinium malorum haereticorum; fit sermo de fide: ille sacerdos impius, vel patronus, blasphemat veritatem tuam, quasi mendacium: fidem tuam, quasi perfidiam, ut aut seducat, aut vulneret conscientiam tuam, et faciat eam infirmam, etsi ad plenum capere non potuerit; tu autem etsi non denegaveris palam veritatem, tamen non contendis cum persona ejus, cujus panem inanem manducas, ut non perdas spem patrocinii, aut rapacitatis: veritatem, quam oportebat te libere defendere, tacens, confundis eam in conspectu inimicorum ejus, ut videatur a te tacente falsa quae vera est. Et quomodo non es tu proditor veritatis? Sed forte dicis: Si taceo veritatem ante adversarios, numquid consentio mendacio eorum? Dic mihi, si princeps aliquis imperatoris, videns civitatem Romanam ab hostibus expugnari, cum possit liberare eam, et neglexit defendere: num ipse videbitur tradidisse, quam potuit liberare, si voluisset? Sic et tu videns veritatem ab impiis expugnari, cum eam potuisses defendere, si loqui voluisses, tacens expugnasti, per hoc ipsum quod compassus es expugnari. Et si propter timorem eorum, qui occidunt corpus, tacere veritatem, sicut praesens scriptura testatur, impietas est: quomodo non sit impietas major, tacere veritatem propter miserum ventrem, et spem vani honoris, et meliorem facere gratiam panis et honoris quam gloriam veritatis Dei? Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum, Homilia XXV Source: Migne PG 56.762

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light, and do not fear those who kill the body. 1 Do not refrain from speaking in the light what you have heard in the darkness. See that not only is he a transgressor of the truth who denies the truth but even he who on account of the fear of those who can kill the body is silent about the truth. What shall I say? Because of the fear of death men are silent about the truth, and likewise because of the wretched belly, and then they will not speak the truth because of the hope for vain honours in the sight of faithless men. It is as when men go to a meal held by impious priests, or they flee to the protection of wicked heretics, and a speech is made about the faith, and that impious priest or patron blasphemes the truth as a lie, and your faith as perfidy, so that he either seduces you, or wounds your conscience and weakens it, even if he was not able to seize it completely. And even if you do not deny the truth, however since you do not dispute with this person, whose vain bread you eat so that you do not lose the hope of his protection, or because of your rapacity, because you are silent about the truth you should gladly defend, you cast shame on it in the eyes of its enemies, so that on account of your silence it appears that the truth is a lie. How are you not a traitor to the truth? But perhaps you say, 'If I am silent about the truth before my enemies, do I consent to their lies?' Tell me, if a general of the emperor, seeing a Roman city assailed by its enemies, neglects to defend it when he is able to deliver it, shall he not be seen to have betrayed it, when he was able to save it if he wished? So you, seeing the truth attacked by the wicked, when you were able to defend it if you wished to speak, by your silence also attacked it, because you allowed it to be attacked. And if your silence regarding the truth is because of the fear of those who kill the body, so the present Scripture bears witness that it is wicked. And then how is it not more wicked to be silent because of the wretched stomach, or because of hope for vain honours, and to judge thanks for food and honour as better than the glory of the truth of God? Opus Imperfectum on Matthew, from Homily 25 1 Mt 10.27

Philosophy And Virtue

Hanc se sectari philosophi quoque profitentur, sed tam illic patientia falsa est quam et falsa sapientia est. Unde enim vel sapiens esse uel patiens possit qui nec sapientiam nec patientiam Dei novit? Quando ipse de his qui sibi sapere in mundo videntur moneat et dicat: perdam sapientiam sapientium et prudentiam prudentium reprobabo. Item beatus apostolus Paulus plenus Spiritu sancto et vocandis formandisque gentibus missus contestetur et instruat dicens: Videte ne qui vos depraedetur per philosophiam et inanem fallaciam secundum traditionem hominum, secundum elementa mundi et non secundum Christum, quia in ipso habitat omnis plenitudo divinitatis. Et alio loco, Nemo se, inquit, decipiat. si qui putat sapientem se esse in vobis, mundo huic stultus fiat ut fiat sapiens. sapientia enim huius mundi stultitia est aput Deum. scriptum est enim: reprehendens sapientes in astutia ipsorum. et iterum: cognovit Deus cogitationes sapientium quia sunt stultae. Quare si sapientia illic vera non est, esse non potest et vera patientia. Nam si patiens ille est qui est humilis et mitis, philosophos autem nec humiles videmus esse nec mites sed sibi multum placentes et hoc ipso quod sibi placeant Deo displicentes, apparet illic non esse patientiam, ubi sit insolens adfectatae libertatis audacia et exerti ac seminudi pectoris inverecunda. Nos autem, fratres dilectissimi, qui philosophi non verbis sed factis sumus, nec vestitu sapientiam sed veritate praeferimus, qui virtutum conscientiam magis quam iactantiam nouimus, qui non loquimur magna sed vivimus, quasi servi et cultores Dei patientiam quam magisteriis caelestibus discimus obsequiis spiritalibus praebeamus. Est enim nobis cum Deo virtus ista communis. Inde patientia incipit, inde claritas eius et dignitas caput sumit. Origo et magnitudo patientiae Deo auctore procedit. Diligenda res homini quae Deo cara est: bonum quod amat maiestas divina commendat. Sanctus Cyprianus, De Bono Patientiae Source: Migne PL 4.623a-624a

Philosophers also profess that they pursue this virtue of endurance, but their patience is as false as their wisdom. For how can he be either wise or patient, who has not known the wisdom nor the patience of God, when He Himself says in admonishment of those who seem to themselves to be wise in the world, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will rebuke the understanding of the prudent.' 1 Likewise the blessed Apostle Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, and sent for the calling and forming of the Gentiles, gives witness and instruction, saying, 'See that no man rob you with philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, and according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ, because in Him dwells all the fullness of Divinity.' 2 And in another place he says, 'Let no man deceive himself, if any man among you thinks himself wise, let him become a fool to this world so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. It is written, 'I will rebuke the wise in their cleverness.' And again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are foolish.' 3 So if their wisdom is not true, nor is their patience. For if he who is enduring is humble and meek, and we do not see philosophers are either humble or meek, but they are greatly pleased with themselves, and because they please themselves, they displease God, it is apparent that there is no patience where there is the insolent audacity of an affected liberty, and the immodest boastfulness of an exposed and half-naked chest. But we, most beloved brethren, are philosophers in deeds and not in words, and we do not display our wisdom in our garments, but in truth; we are more acquainted with the consciousness of the virtues than with the boast of them, not speaking great things, but living them, showing ourselves as servants and worshippers of God in our spiritual obedience, which patience we learn from the heavenly teachings. And we have this virtue in common with God. From Him patience begins, from Him its glory and its dignity arise. The origin and greatness of patience proceed from God as its author. Man should love what is dear to God. The good which the Divine Majesty loves, it commends. Saint Cyprian of Carthage, Treatise On The Good of Patience. 1 Isaiah 29.14 2 Colos 2.8 3 1 Cor 3.18-20

Truth And Division

Et iterum interrogabant eum Pharisaei, quomodo videret... Et modum quaerunt et modum audiunt; unde: llle autem dixit eis: Lutum posuit mihi super oculos meos, el lavi et modo video; breviter repetit, quia ipsi iam ab aliis audierant, sed ad maiorem certitudinem ex ipsius ore requirebant. Et apparet hic constantia caeci, qui veritatem non timuit confiteri, servans illud Ecclesiastici quarto: Pro anima tua non confundaris dicere verum. Dicebant ergo ex Pharisaeis quidam. Tangitur hic tertium, scilicet in reprehendendo dissensio; unde dicit: Dicebant ergo ex Pharisaeis quidam, fatui zelatores Legis; ad Romanos decimo: Aemulationem quidem Dei habent, sed non secundum scientiam. Dicebant: Non est hic homo a Deo, per conformitatem et complacentiam; qui Sabbalum non cuslodit, quod custodiri a Deo praeceptum est, Exodi vigesimo et in pluribus aliis locis. Alii autem dicebant: Quomodo potest homo peccator haec signa facere? Et isti erant magis iiluminati; unde isti habebant aliquid luminis; sed alii obtenebrati; ideo sequitur, quod schisma erat inter eos, id est divisio, iusto Dei iudicio dividentis lucem a tenebris et bonos a malis; propter quod dixit Matthaei decimo: Non veni pacem mittere,sed gladium. Sanctus Bonaventura, Commentarius In Evangelium Ioannem, Caput IX Source: Here, p882

And again the Pharisees asked him how he saw... 1 They seek how and they hear how, hence, 'He said to them, 'He placed mud on my eyes and washed them and I saw.' He relays it briefly because they had already heard it from others, but for greater certainty they sought it from the man's mouth. And here appeared the constancy of the blind man, who did not fear to confess the truth, as in the fourth chapter of Ecclesiasticus, 'For the sake of your soul do not be dismayed in speaking the truth.' 2 Therefore some among the Pharisees said... This touches on the third matter, that is, on the disagreement in reproof, hence it says, 'Therefore some among the Pharisees said,' those foolishly zealous for the Law, as in the tenth chapter of Romans, 'They are zealous for God but not according to knowledge.' 3 They said, 'This is not a man from God,' because of conformity and complacency, 'he does not keep the Sabbath,' which God had commanded to be kept in the twentieth chapter of Exodus, 4 and in many other places. But others said, 'How is he a sinful man who can perform these signs?' And these were more enlightened, hence they had some light but the others were benighted. Therefore it follows, 'There was division among them,' that is, the division which the righteous judgement of God makes between light and darkness and good and evil, because of which it is said in the tenth chapter of Matthew, 'I have not come to bring peace but a sword.' 5 Saint Bonaventura, Commentary On The Gospel Of Saint John, Chapter 9 1 Jn 9.15 2 Sirach 4.24 3 Rom 10.2 4 Exod 20.8 5 Mt 10.34

The Amazed Crowd

Et factum est cum consummasset Jesus verba haec, admirabantur turbae super doctrinam ejus Quaenam turbae miratae dicuntur, cum superius ad eum soli discipuli legantur accessisse? Nisi quia aut turba discipulorum, ex quibus duodecim elegerat, dicitur admirate, quos, pernoctans in oratione, cum dies factus esset accesierat; aut certe cum descendisset, secundum Lucam, et stetisset in loco campestri, ubi et mulitudo plebis fuisse legitur. Tunc utique cum finisset eumdem sermonem quem jam forsitan supra habuerat, miratae dicuntur turbae, et non discipuli. Quia, discipulis fides potius et dilectio congruebat quam admiratio. Admiratio ergo signum est infidelitatis, qui necdum mens bene de virture Dei sentiens, stupet ad ea quae prius necdum crediderat. Prorsus et ideo fiunt miracula, ut mens ad ea commoveatur quatenus incipiat credere, et de illo cui nihil impossibile est, in nullo dubitate. Consummatio igitur sermonis plenitudo et integritas intelligatur doctrinarum, qui nihil imperfectionis habet sermo Christi. Sanctus Paschasius Radbertus Corbeiensis, Expositio In Evangelium Matthaei, Liber III, Caput VII Source: Migne PL 120.331c-332a

When Jesus had finished speaking these words, the crowd were amazed at His teaching. 1 How is it that the crowd are said to be amazed when previously it was said that only the disciples approached Him? 2 Either because it is the crowd of the disciples that are said to wonder, from which He chose the twelve, who after prayer through the night, when day had come, approached, or because, as Luke says, He went down and stood in the fields, where it is said the multitude of the people were. 3 Then when He had finished speaking there what perhaps He said above, then the crowd are said to be amazed, and not the disciples. And this is because faith and love are more befitting the disciples than amazement, and amazement is thus a sign of a lack of faith, when the mind does not rightly grasp the power of God, and it is astonished at the things in which it does not yet believe. Therefore when miracles are performed the mind is shaken and begins to believe, even that nothing is impossible for Him, and there is no doubt at all. Therefore the end of the speech is to be understood as the fullness and integrity of the teaching, for the word of Christ has no imperfection. Saint Paschasius Radbertus, Commentary On The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Book 3, Chapter 7 1 Mt 7.28 2 Mt 5.1 3 Lk 6.17-20

Tests And Signs

Non tentabis Dominum Deum tuum Tentare Deum, est se injicere periculo, ut experiatur an Deus miraculo eripere velit: cum ex humana ratione promptum habeat quid facere possit. Neque tentemus Deum, sicut quidam tentaverunt, et perierunt ab exterminatore. Si tamen a Deo offerretur signum: petere possemus et deberemus. Et ideo reprehenditur Achaz cui cum diceretur: Pete tibi signum etc, respondit; Non petam et non tentabo Dominum: sic enim signum petere: non est tentare Dominum Sanctus Albertus Magnus Commentarium In Evangelium Mattheum, Caput IV Source: Here p57

You shall not test the Lord your God. 1 To test God is to cast oneself into peril so that one may find out whether God wishes to save one with a miracle, when it is evident from human reason what it is possible to do. 'We should not test God, as those who tested him and perished by the exterminator.' 2 But if it is matter of receiving a sign from God, we can and should seek. And therefore Achaz was reproved when it was said to him, 'Seek a sign,' and he answered, 'I shall not seek and I shall not test the Lord.' 3 For to seek a sign is not to test God. Saint Albert The Great, Commentary On The Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 4 1 Mt 18.11 2 1 Corin 10.9-10 3 Isaiah 7.12

Four Thieves

Latrones qui nobis optiam quaeque furantur, quatuor sunt: Hebetatio intellectus, discordia tollens nobis scientiam veritatis. Hic latro ape Psalmistam vocatur negotium in tenebris. Indomitae carnis lasivia, rapiens meritum integritatis, et daemonium dicitur meridianum. Favorabilis jactantia, tollens plenitudinem sanctitatis, et dicitur sagitta volans in die. Vitae hujus amor et appetentia rapiens praemium aeternitatis, et dicitur timor nocturnus. Hi sunt latrones sine intermissione insidiantes. Hugo De Sancte Victore, Miscellanea, Liber V, CXXIII, De furibus rerum nostrarum. Source: Migne PL 177.807c

There are four thieves which steal away the best things we have. The dullness of the intellect, which with its confusion takes away all understanding of truth, and this the Psalmist calls 'the business in darkness;' 1 the untamed lusts of the flesh that take away the merit of our wholeness, which is called 'the noon day demon;' 1 the delight in boasting that takes aways the fullness of holiness, which is called 'the arrow that flies by day;' 1 and the love of this life and the desire for it that steals away the eternal reward, which is called 'the nocturnal fear.' 2 These thieves plot against us without ceasing. Hugh Of Saint Victor, Miscellanea, Book 5, Chapter 123, On the thieves of what is ours. 1 Ps 90.6 2 Ps 90.5

Wounds And Sin

Si vulnus corpori infligatur, aut os confringatur, aut nervorum junctura resolvatur, sub unius horae spatio hujusmodi vulnera solent corporibus accidere, et plurimis postmodum cruciatibus ac doloribus exactis, multo vix tempore sanari; quanti enim tumores in loco, quanta tormenta generantur? Jam vero si accidat, ut in eodem vulnere, vel in eadem fractura iterum et saepius quis vulneretur, frequentiusque frangatur, quantis hoc poenis curari, et quantis potest cruciatibus medicari? Quanto autem tempore, si tamen potuerit, ad sanitatem perducitur? Et vix aliquando ita curabitur, ut vel debilitatem corporis, vel foeditatem cicatricis effugiat. Transi nunc ab exemplo corporis ad animae vulnera. Anima quoties peccat, toties vulneratur. Et ne dubies peccatis eam velut telis et gladiis vulnerari, audi Apostolum monentem ut assumamus scutum fidei, in quo possitis, inquit, omnia jacula maligni ignita exstinguere. Vides ergo peccata maligni esse jacula, quae in animam diriguntur. Patitur autem et anima non solum vulnera jaculorum, sed et fracturas pedum, cum laquei parantur pedibus ejus, et supplantantur gressus ejus. Haec ergo et hujusmodi vulnera quanto tempore putas posse curari? O si possemus per unumquodque peccatum videre quomodo homo noster interior assidue vulneratur, quomodo sermo malus vulnus infigit! Non legisti: Dicunt quia vulnerant gladii, sed non ita ut lingua? Vulneratur ergo per linguam anima, vulneratur et per cogitationes et concepiscentias malas, frangitur autem et conteritur per opera peccati. Quae si omnia videre possemus, et vulneratae animae sentire cicatrices, certum est quod usque ad mortem resisteremus adversum peccatum. Origen, In Numeros, Homilia VIII, Interprete Rufino Aquileiense Source: Migne PG 12.622d-623c

If a wound is inflicted on the body, or a bone is broken, or a joining of nerves is severed, in the space of one hour those wounds are accustomed to befall, and afterwards there is more pain and grief exacted, which much time is scarcely able to heal; for while there are swellings in place, how great is the torment? Then if it happens that on that same wound and on that same fracture there is often a wound or a break, how great shall this damage be and how great will the treatment of the pain need to be? And then how great the time, if it is possible at all, to lead back to health? And it is hardly likely there will be such a cure that removes bodily debility and the ugliness of scarring. Pass, then, from the example of the body to the wounds of the soul. The soul is wounded as many times as it sins. And lest you doubt that it is wounded as with spears and swords, hear the Apostle exhorting us to 'Take up the shield of faith with which you shall be able to extinguish all the fiery shafts of the wicked one.' 1 You see, therefore, that the sins of the wicked one are shafts directed against the soul. And the soul does not suffer the wounds of shafts only, but also fractures of the foot when a snare is prepared for the feet and its way is supplanted. 2 These wounds and those like them, how much time do you think can cure them? O, that we could see any sin and how it deeply wounds our interior man, and how a wicked word inflicts a wound. Do you not read, 'They say that swords wound, but is it not so with the tongue?' 3 The soul is wounded by the tongue, and it is wounded by evil thoughts and desires, and it is broken and fractured by evil works. If we could see all this and feel the scabs of the soul's wounds, it is certain that we would resist sin to the death. Origen, On Numbers, from the Eighth Homily, Translated by Rufinus of Aquileia. 1 Ephes 6.16 2 Ps 139.5-6 3 Sirach 28.22

Wounds And Fighting

Ὥσπερ στρατιώτης γενναῖος ὑπὲρ τοῦ βασιλέως μαχόμενος, ἐὰν βέλεσι κατατοξευθεὶς ὑπὸ τῶν ἐναντίων ὑπομείνῃ τὰς ἀλγηδόνας , καὶ μὴ παραχωρήσε τῇ ὀλιγοψυχίᾳ, ἐπιμελείας τυχών, καὶ ἰατρευθείς, ἕξει τὰς οὐλὰς τῶν τραυμάτων εἰς καύχησιν ἀνδρεία; οὕτως καὶ οἱ τρωθέντες παρὰ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ ἐὰν μὴ ἀκηδιάσωσι τοὺς πόνους τῆς μετανοίας, ἀναμφιβόλως σωθέντες καυχήσονται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως· ὁ γὰρ ἀνδρεῖος , κἂν ἐν τραύμασι γένηται, πάντως νικήσει καὶ τραυματίας μαχόμενος. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΞΖ’ Ἡρακλειῳ Ὑποδιακονῳ Source: Migne PG 79.112b

As a good soldier fights for his king and if he suffers blows from the arms of his enemy, his soul does not despair, because cured and brought back to health the scars of the wounds shall be his boast of bravery, so things are with those who receive wounds from the enemy, if they do not neglect penance, for without doubt they shall have their glory on the day of judgement when salvation follows, for he who is brave, though covered with wounds, may yet fight on and overthrow the one who wounds. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 67, To Heraclius the Subdeacon

Hope And Troubles

Ἡ εἰς τὸ Θεῖον ἐλπὶς , πύργος ἐστὶν ἀῤῥαγής, οὐ τὴν λύσιν μόνον ἐπαγγελλόμενος τῶν δεινῶν, ἀλλ'οὐδὲ παρόντων αὐτῶν ταράττεσθαι συγχωρῶν. Ὁ γὰρ τῶν ἀνθρωπίνων ἀπηλλαγμένος , καὶ τῇ ἄνωθεν ἐλπίδι ἑαυτὸν ἐξαρτήσας, οὐ μόνον ταχίστην ἐπάγεται τῶν δεινῶν τὴν ἀπαλλαγὴν, ἀλλ' οὐδὲ παρόντων αὐτῶν θορυβοῦται καὶ ταράττεται, τῇ προσδοκία τῆς ἱερᾶς ἐκείνης ἀγκύρας ὀρθούμενος. Χρῶ τοίνυν αὐτῇ , καὶ πάντων ἔσῃ κρείττων τῶν λυπηρῶν. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Δεύτερον, Ἐπιστολὴ IZ', Παμπρεπιῳ Διακονῳ Source: Migne PG 78.469b

Hope in God is a firm tower, yet it does not promise the disappearance of wretched things, but rather distress in present things. For he who rids himself of the things of men has suspended himself by hope to things above, but it does not follow that he is freed from all troubles and burdens, rather he is not cast down by the tumults and trials of present things, for he has been renewed and lifted up on the anchor of holy hope. Hold to this and you shall be superior to every distress. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 2, Letter 17, To Pamprepius the Deacon

A Firm Footing

Tοῦ θεμένου τὴν ψυχήν μου εἰς ζωὴν καὶ μὴ δόντος εἰς σάλον τοὺς πόδας μου Οὐ δίδονται εἰς σάλον οἱ πόδες τοῦ ἔσω ἀνθρώπου, ὅταν τις ίδρυνθῇ ἐπὶ τὸν ἀῤῥαγῆ καὶ ἰσχυρώτατον τοῦ Θεοῦ λόγον· ὡς χαριστηρίως εἰπεῖν· Ἔστησας ἐπὶ πέτραν τοὺς πόδας μου. Τίθεται δὲ εἰς ζωὴν ἡ ψυχὴ τοῦ τέλος κομιζομένου τῆς πίστεως σωτηρίαν· ὡς εἰπεῖν πιστῇ προθέσει· Kal ἡ ψυχή μου αὐτῷ ζῇ. Ζῇ δὲ ψυχὴ ἀρετὴν ἔχουσα καὶ σοφίαν· ὡς, ψυχὴ ἡ ἁμαρτάνουσα ἀποθανεῖται. Ως εἰπεῖν τῷ Θεῷ· Ἐν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ζῆσόν με. Οὐ σαλεύεται δὲ τοὺς πόδας ὁ τῷ ὀχυρωτάτῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ λόγῳ ἐνιδρυθείς. Δίδυμος Αλεξανδρεύς, Εἰς Ψαλμούς, Ψαλμος ΞΕ’ Source: Migne PG 39.1439a-b

Who has set my soul to live and does not give my feet to stumbling. 1 The feet of a man are not given to stumbling when they have been fixed to the unbreakable and most firm word of God, so that the man gives thanks, saying, 'You placed my feet on a rock.' 2 And the soul is set to live which is directed to the end, the salvation of faith, and with faith he proclaims, 'And in Him my soul shall live.' 3 And the soul's life is the possession of virtue and wisdom, because the soul that sins dies. 4 Thus he says to God, 'With your righteousness revive me.' 5 So the feet are not shaken which are fixed fast on the most firm word of God. Didymus the Blind, Commentary on The Psalms, from Psalm 65 1 Ps 65.9 2 Ps 39.3 3 Ps 21.31 4 Ezek 18.20 5 Ps 118.40