Дерзость

Courage and audacity, although close in name, are most different from each other in actions; I mean courage and cowardice. To be bold in matters requiring courage is a sign of courage, while to be weak is a sign of timidity. But going and rushing to where there is more danger, and not holding back, is a sign of insolence, while shying away is a sign of caution. It cannot be assumed that preserving what you have and acquiring what you did not mean the same thing. The first is especially and predominantly worthy of the respect of prudent people; the latter, if it is convenient, should be accepted; otherwise it is worthy of contempt. Whoever, in the hope of acquiring something, exposes himself to the danger of losing everything he has, is very unreasonable. Such a person seems to me like a bad fighter who begins to fight before he gets into a firm position, or that helmsman who sinks and tries to sink an enemy ship when his ship is without tackle and is not capable of sailing (1). The reason for this disorder (in our teaching) is natural ardor and greatness of spirit; however, not simple ardor and greatness (I do not at all condemn that ardor, without which it is impossible to succeed either in piety or in any other virtue), but firmness, combined with imprudence, ignorance and the evil offspring of the latter - insolence, for insolence is the fruit of ignorance (1). If you have knowledge, it is said, answer (Sir. 5:14), no one will hinder you; if not, put bonds on your mouth. It is all the more fitting for those who are ready to teach. If it is time for you to teach, teach, and if not, then tie your tongue and loosen your ears. Study in the Divine, but do not go beyond the limits, talk about the spiritual and, if possible, about this one thing, talk more often than you take a breath (it is good and godly to be aroused to God by the remembrance of the Divine), but when reflecting on what is commanded to you, do not be curious about the nature of the Father, about the fulfillment of the Only Begotten Son, about the glory and power of the Spirit, about the One Godhead in Three, about One lordship, about the indivisible nature and confession, about the indivisible glory and hope of believers. Stick to the expressions that you have adopted through your upbringing, and leave the floor to the wisest. It is enough for you to have a foundation, but let the artist build on it. It’s enough for you to feed your heart with bread, and leave the rest of the food to the rich. None of the sane people condemned you for eating inexpensive dishes, but they condemned you if, while you are still able, you do not offer bread and give water to a disciple of Christ or anyone else. Do not be rash in words (see Proverbs 29:20), wisdom commands you. Do not prostrate the poor with the rich (Proverbs 23:4) 55, do not strive to be wiser than the wise. And that is the wisdom to know yourself, but not to become arrogant and not to be subjected to the same thing that happens to the voice, which is completely lost if it is overly tense. It is better, being wise, to yield out of modesty, than, being ignorant, to puff up out of insolence. Let your speed extend only to the confession of faith, if this is required of you; but in what is beyond this, be slow, for there slowness, and here haste are fraught with danger. What harm will it do to you if you do not retain the upper hand in every interview and do not have primacy in every proposal or question; on the contrary, others turn out to be wiser or braver than you? Thanks be to God, who gives excellent gifts and knows how to save by common means (1)! In the synodal translation: do not worry about acquiring wealth. You might be interested in: