Conquering Evil

Noli vinci a malo, sed vince in bono malum. Haec interpretatio Apostoli est cohortantis, ne vicem reddamus inimicis, sicut dictum est. Multum enim proderit nobis, si malitiae cedamus; vincit enim malum, qui ad tempus vinci videtur ab illo. Etenim Salvator sic vicit malum, dum non restitit; contra se enim agit malitia, et dum vincitur, vincere se putat. Id enim agit inimicus, ut et nos de proposito nostri abstrahat, occassionem quaerens quomodo peccemus. Ideo si provocati ab illo, vicem illi non reddamus, vincimus illum in bono; ideo enim non resistimus, ut bonum servemus, neglecta justitia; quia cogit justitia ad retribuendum. Ambrosiaster, Commentaria In Epistolam ad Romanos, Caput XII Source: Migne PL 17.162c

Do not conquer with evil but conquer evil with good 1 The understanding of the Apostle's exhortation is that we should not return the same to enemies, as is said. For we shall be benefited greatly if we refrain from wickedness. He conquers evil who for a time seems to be conquered by it. Indeed so the Saviour conquered evil while He did not resist. Evil acts against itself, and while it is being conquered, it thinks itself to be conquering. For that which the enemy does is so that he might draw us away from our intention, seeking somehow to make us sin. Therefore if we have been provoked by him, we should not return the same to him, and thus we shall conquer him with good. Therefore we do not resist, that we might guard the good, neglecting justice, because justice drives to retribution. Ambrosiaster, Commentary On Saint Paul's Letter to The Romans, Chapter 12 1 Rom 12.21