О тщеславии

Vanity is an unreasonable passion and conveniently mixes itself with every virtuous deed. Both the line drawn on the water and virtuous work in the vain soul merge. The hand hidden in the depths has become white (see Ex. 4:6), and the hidden deed shines more brilliantly than light. The flower leaf twines around the tree and, when it reaches the top, dries up the root, and vanity grows with the virtues and does not leave them until it takes away their strength. A bunch of grapes dragging along the ground easily rots, and virtue, based on vanity, perishes. A vain monk is a free worker, bears the labor, but receives no reward. A bag with holes does not retain what is put in, and vanity destroys the reward of virtues. The abstinence of the vain is like smoke from a furnace, and both dissipate in the air. The wind sweeps away a person's trace, and vanity turns alms into nothing. A thrown stone does not reach the sky, and the prayer of a man-pleaser will not ascend to God. Vanity is a pitfall: if you hit it, you will destroy the load. A prudent husband hides a treasure, and a clever monk hides works of virtue. Vanity advises to pray on stacks, but he who opposes vanity prays in his cage. A reckless man publicly announces his wealth and incites many to plot against himself. And you, since you are walking a path where there are robbers, hide what you have until you come to the city of peace, and there use your goods safely. The virtue of the vain is a “broken” sacrifice and is not offered on the altar of God (see Lev. 22:22). Dejection weakens spiritual strength, and vanity strains the mind, which has fallen away from God, makes the sick healthy, makes the old man stronger than the young man, if only there are many witnesses to what is happening; then fasting, vigil, and prayer are easy, because the praise of many arouses zeal. But do not sell your works for human glory and do not give away future glory for praise that is worth nothing 4 . The glory of man remains in dust, and its praise fades away on earth, but the glory of virtue endures forever. According to the manuscript it reads: δί εύτελη εύφημίαν. You might be interested in: