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Where are those who extol themselves for their beautiful appearance? Don't talk to me about the beauty of the body, but look at the virtues of the soul. What is a beautiful woman like? The coffin is decorated if she did not decorate herself with chastity. Physical beauty is a pit that threatens the traveler’s fall and a poison prepared for other people if it is not combined with chastity; on the other hand, it withers in disease and is destroyed by death. But the beauty of the soul remains immortal and unsullied, and then it appears in full bloom, when passions fall silent and peace comes to the mind. So, if you see a beautiful man or woman, do not be surprised. Look, the oak trees rise to the skies, and their fruit is unfit for people, but only for the dumb; and the vine spreads along the ground and bears clusters of beautiful fruit. So, what do you want to have - a grapevine or an oak? Of course, the vine, because the oak, boasting in the heights, delivers food only to the dumb with its fruits. What is more insignificant than a bee and what is more magnificent than a peacock? But which is better - a bee or a peacock? Of course, a bee. Destroy a peacock and you will not lose anything; destroy a bee and you will lose a lot (3). Real life is sweet and contains many pleasant things, but not for everyone, but only for those attached to it. If someone looks at heaven and sees the blessings there, he will soon begin to neglect this life and not value it at all. After all, physical beauty, while there is no other better one, excites surprise; and when better beauty appears, the former begins to be neglected. Likewise, if we begin to look at that beauty and contemplate the splendor of the Kingdom there, we will soon free ourselves from real bonds, since attachment to the present is indeed a kind of bond. This is what Christ leads us to when he says: “He who loves his life will destroy it; But he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. Whoever serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there will my servant also be” (John 12:25, 26) (8). Do not think that beauty depends only on physical appearance. Imagine a pretty girl, but immodest, talkative, grumpy, prone to drunkenness and wastefulness: isn’t she uglier than any ugly girl? If she is modest, silent and bashful, if she gets used to speaking decently and observing fasting, then her beauty will be greater, her appearance will be greater, her face will be more attractive, full of chastity and charm (10). You might be interested in: