Слово 2. О пороках, противоположных добродетелям

I consider it necessary for your diligence to briefly introduce the vices that are opposite to the virtues. Although until now, cultivating our minds, we have plucked up the thorns of thoughts in the field prepared for sowing, but we have achieved this “not by works... which we have done” (Tit. 3:5), but “having the image of sound words” (cf. 2 Tim. 1:13), which we heard from the fathers; They became knowledgeable in other things and from an active life. Yet this is from grace from above. She points out to sinners the machinations of seducers, she warns and says: “What is it that you have received?” (1 Cor. 4:7). And so that, as those who have received, we thank the Giver for this, and not attribute it to ourselves, denying the gift with imaginary self-praise, the Apostle says for this: “Even if you have received, why should you boast that you did not receive?” That is, you, poor in deeds, have already become “rich”; you, who have begun to study, are already “full by nature” (cf. 1 Cor. 4:7-8). I recently fell into such a seduction, both in my assumption, hiding the poverty of affairs, to borrow, and in my intention to give advice, without any order, setting out the science of how one should learn. However, if you have any power in an apology, then give it to me too, so that we can briefly present the vices that correspond to the virtues, defining what gluttony is and - in spite of it - abstinence, what fornication and chastity are, what is the love of money and non-covetousness, sadness and - in spite of it - joy, what is anger and long-suffering, despondency and patience, what is vanity and lack of vanity, envy and non-envy, pride and humility. These virtues and vices are mutually corresponding, counteractive and opposite. Let's present them briefly like this. Gluttony is the mother of fornication, the nourisher of thoughts, weakening of fasting, limitation of asceticism, a monster that deviates from the goal, a lively presentation of food and seasonings, an uncontrollable young horse, unbridled fury, a recipient of illness, opposition to health, blockage of conductors, constriction of the insides, the extreme limit of violence to nature, the hiding place of fornication, impurity of thoughts, weakness of the body, severe sleep, sad death. And abstinence is the bridle of the belly, the scourge of gluttony, the rule of proportionality, the curbing of greed, the renunciation of repose, the charter of a harsh life, the taming of thoughts, the eye of vigilance, deliverance from inflammation, the nurturer of the body, the pillar of labor, the wall of good habits, the softening of morals, the reduction of passions, the mortification of members, the revitalization of souls, the likeness of the Resurrection, the decree consecration. Fornication is the fruit of voluptuousness, relaxation of the heart, a furnace of kindling, disgrace against idols, a dark 15 matter, a shadow-covered image, an imaginary combination, a dreamed bed in a dream, an imperceptible presence, deception of the eyes, shamelessness of the gaze, shamefulness of prayer, shame of the heart, a guide to ignorance. Chastity is the robe of truth, the ax of indecency, the charioteer of the eyes, the observer of thoughts, the circumcision of thoughts, the cutting off of intemperance, the new planting in nature, the opponent of kindling, the helper in deeds, the worker of abstinence, the lamp of the heart, the guide to prayer. The love of money is idolatrous frugality, the prophecy of the crowd, the judgment of avarice, the calculation of what has been put aside, the wealth of enslavement, a generation of unrighteousness, the fatness of diseases, a fortuneteller of longevity, a charmer of industriousness, an adviser to vigilance, poverty of the belly, the low value of food, insatiable fury, a multi-careful vice. Non-covetousness is the eradication of the love of money, the rooting of the love of money, the fruit of love and the cross of life, a painless life, a treasure that does not excite envy, a heaven that knows no care, a motionless sun, an immeasurable substance, immense wealth, a scythe that reaps care, a gospel work, an indestructible adornment, a fleeting ascetic. Sadness is the companion of losses, the companion of failure, the forerunner of a wandering life, the memory of kinship, the accomplice of sighing, the fellow student of despondency, the complaint of grief, the monument of resentment, the darkening of the soul, the severity of morals, the intoxication of prudence, the soporific antidote, a cloud on the face, a worm in the flesh, the fall of 16 thoughts, the crowd of enslavement. Joy is the destruction of sorrow, gratitude in adversity, prayerful vision, joy in labor, the joy of charity, the offspring of renunciation of the world, the recipient of love of strangers, the refuge of hopes, the food of ascetics, the consolation of those who cry, the delight of tears, help in sorrow, the appeal of love, the consent of generosity. Anger is the plunder of prudence, disorder of state, confusion of nature, ferocity of the face, furnace in the heart, belched flame, law of irritability, indignation at insults, mother of beasts, silent struggle, trouble in prayer. Longsuffering is a weapon of prudence, a judgment seat for anger, a healer for the heart, a lesson for the daring, silence for the rebellious, a stormless haven, goodness for the sad, kindness to everyone; it, blasphemed, blesses, insulted, rejoices, it is a consolation for the oppressed, a mirror for those who hope, a reward for those who suffer. Dejection - airy affection, walking in circles, hatred of hard work, struggle with silence, storm during psalmody, laziness in prayer, relaxation in asceticism, untimely sleep, constantly returning sleep, burden of loneliness 17, hatred of the cell, opposition to work, resistance to patience, bridle to meditation, ignorance of the scriptures, partaker of sorrow, clock showing hunger. Patience is renunciation of despondency, renunciation of thoughts, concern for death, meditation on the cross, nailed fear, beaten gold, the law of sorrows, the book of thanksgiving, the shield of silence, the weapon of works, seething activity for good, the outline of virtues. Vanity is the dream of chance, feigned diligence, opposition to the truth, the first cause of heresies, the desire for primacy; it is the last to greet, it is enslaved to praise, it is a many-personal spirit, a thousand-toothed beast. The environment of vanity is intertwined with pride and envy, which are one in the other and one another hostile, and this is a triple chain of evils, a three-part solution of passions, a triple language of heretics. Unvanity is the practice of humility, a retreat from servility, the closing of eyes to praise, the contemplation of knowledge, opposition to the world, the health of the soul, the rule of frugality, the secret of labor, the averse to glorification, the hidden treasure in a corruptible body. Envy is the garment of pride, the temptation of humility, the root of gossip, blindness to complacency, hypocrisy in friendship, deceptive freedom in treatment, hostility to love, jealousy of those approved, confusion of the unshakable, ridicule of the glorified, transformation of the eyes. Who is pure in heart, who does not reproach himself for having rejected or not fully fulfilled God’s commandment or neglected it? But may Christ in every matter lead us to the successful fulfillment of His will! To him be glory forever! Amen. Instead of: ά suggen, the manuscript reads: ά sumfan. Instead of: λύπη according to the manuscript it reads: λύμη. 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