Великодушие

Glorious Alexander gave not only life to the defeated Porus 35, who stood courageously for his power, but soon also the kingdom of the Indus. With this, and not with anything else, he wanted to prove his generosity. And for him, Alexander, not to surpass someone in generosity was more shameful than to yield in strength of arms (1). In times of need, it’s time to be generous (1). It is better to be generous and, by tolerating, to show the people an example of generosity, for the common people are not so much convinced by words as by deeds - by this silent exhortation. I consider it important to punish those who have offended us; I say: important, because this is also useful in correcting others, but much higher and more divine than this is to patiently endure an insult. The first stops the mouth of vice, and the second convinces people to become good, which is much better and more perfect than not being only evil. Let us imagine that we are faced with a great exercise in love for mankind, and let us forgive what has been done against us, so that we ourselves may be worthy of forgiveness, and let us add goodness to goodness. Phinehas is called a zealot because he pierced the Midianite woman with the sword along with the fornicator, and took away the reproach of the children of Israel. But he is even more commendable for praying for a fallen people. Therefore, we will begin to pray and propitiate, so that the plague will end, according to what is written, and it will be counted to us as righteousness (see Ps. 105: 30-31). Moses is also praised for the fact that, offended by an Israeli, he killed an Egyptian, but he is more worthy of surprise for the fact that he healed his sister Miriam, stricken with leprosy for murmuring, with prayers. Note also the following: the Ninevites are threatened with destruction, but with their tears they buy salvation. Manasseh was the most lawless of kings, but for his tears he became famous among the saved. How will I deal with you, Ephraim (Hos. 11:8)? - says God. What an angry word! But at the same time, protection is promised. What is more hasty than love of humanity? The disciples ask for the fire of Sodom to lead Jesus, but He rejects vengeance. Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, one of the offenders, but Jesus heals. And the one who asked: should one forgive a brother who has sinned up to seven times, is he not condemned for stinginess? Instead of seven times it is said: until seventy times (Matthew 18:22). Isn’t the debtor mentioned in the Gospel who has not forgiven what was forgiven him subject to the strictest punishment (see Matthew 18:23–34)? And in the model of prayer, isn’t it required that we gain forgiveness for ourselves through forgiveness? Having so many examples, let us imitate God’s love for mankind and do not want to experience for ourselves how heavy the reward for sin is. You see the order in which goodness acts. First it legitimizes, then it wins, it promises, it threatens, it reproaches, it fights, it takes possession, it threatens again when it is forced to do so, it strikes, but gradually gives way to correction. Therefore, we ourselves will not strike suddenly, for this is unsafe, but, being chaste with fear, we will overcome with love for mankind and oblige to reverence, torturing more with conscience than with anger; Let us not dry up a fig tree that may still bear fruit; we will not condemn it as useless and taking up space in vain, such a fig tree as may perhaps be healed by the supervision and care of a skilled farmer; We will not destroy such a great and glorious deed in such a short time, through slander, perhaps, through the envy of the evil one, but we would rather wish to appear to be lovers of mankind than perfect, more lovers of the poor than lovers of truth. Let us no longer listen to those who incite us to do this, and do not restrain us, meaning, if nothing else, at least shame - to arouse the opinion about ourselves that we are in opposition to the poor, who have the great advantage that, although they cause offense, yet with their misfortune they arouse pity for themselves. Imagine now that all the poor and the feeders of the poor are coming to you, that all the monks and virgins are asking for them. Instead of them, show mercy to everyone, because they have already been sufficiently brought to their senses, as this can be seen from the fact that they needed me, and first of all, show mercy to me, who will forgive them for them. If it seems cruel to you that I suffered dishonor from them, then let it seem even more cruel that you do not listen to me giving such advice (2). Porus is an Indian king. In 326 BC. Alexander the Great defeated him at Hydaspes. – Approx. ed. You might be interested in: