Two Infirmities

Nam infirmitas corporis miseranda est, non odienda: infirmitas autem animae non est miseranda, sed odienda: quia infirmitas corporis non est in nostra poteste, ut aut non veniat super nos, aut recedet a nobis: infirmtias autem animae in nostra est potestate, ut aut non veniat super nos, aut recedat a nobis, Infirmitas enim corporis tenet nos, nec tenetur a nobis; infirmitas autem animae non tenet nos, sed tenetur a nobis. Ideo illa infirmitas miseranda est, hace odienda. Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum, Homilia XXI Source: Migne PG 56.749

An infirmity of the body deserves compassion not hate, but an infirmity of the soul deserves hate not compassion, because an infirmity of the body is not in our power, that either it might not come upon us, or that it might go from us, but an infirmity of the soul is in our power, that either it might not come upon us, or that it might go from us. For an infirmity of the body holds us, it is not held on to by us, and an infirmity of the soul does not hold us, but it is held on to by us. Therefore the former infirmity deserves compassion, the latter hate. Opus Imperfectum on Matthew, from Homily 21