Глава 9. О том, что подвижнику никак не должно домогаться избирательного голоса или начальства над братиею

An ascetic should not in the least seek an electoral vote or authority over the brethren. For this is a devilish illness and a manifestation of covetousness, which serves as a sign of the highest devilish deceit. And the devil was carried away by this passion to his very well-known fall, and whoever has this passion suffers along with him. Moreover, this passion makes those captivated by it envious, jealous, accusers, shameless, slanderers, caresses, malicious, humiliated beyond their due, servile, arrogant and filled with countless troubles. For such a person envies the worthy and slanderes them, and often wishes them death, so that, given the lack of those capable of action, voices will reach him. He will caress those in whose will it is to cast an electoral vote, and therefore will become servile, but he will be insolent against the lowly ones if they resist, and therefore will begin to weave intrigues; he will have thousands of confusions and suspicions, spiritual silence will be destroyed, and the God of peace, not finding a place to rest, will leave him. Therefore, knowing such harm, let us avoid indecent wishes. If God chooses someone for this, then He, as a well-skilled one, knows how to make him worthy, and we must realize in ourselves that we have not sought anything like this and do not have such a desire in our souls. For this is the most serious illness of the soul and a falling away from goodness. You might be interested in: