О добродетели. К младшему подвижнику

The Lord, who came into the world to save people, commanded us to love one another (John 13:34). The work of love is to teach one another the fear of God. So, since it was desirable for your reverence to hear a word from my littleness, then out of obedience, with the assistance of the grace of Christ, I yielded to your desire. Now I have written about the same subjects in this memorable entry. Therefore, if you find something useful, keep it in your mind, so that when you bring fruit to the Lord, I too will not be left without a reward for my advice. But do not look from me, who lives among the brethren, for the art of words, which I have not studied, or for beautiful expressions, which I do not know. Accept with love what is written to you out of love, simply, sincerely and not in a learned way; Complete this from yourself, which you are more capable of than me, and, having received from me, as it were, seeds and the first principles, according to the breadth of your mind, create the most abundant fruit. What I have suggested briefly and weakly, you, as a most curious person, express everything to those living with you with strength and advise them to take into account the depth of my ignorance, for I am not used to composing speeches for show and have not practiced the art of words. Only love motivates me to tell this to you and everyone living with you. Just as for you, who are seeking instruction in virtue, I have long since made efforts and, with the help of grace, began to study the words of truth in the first place, so you, according to the grace given to you by the Lord, diligently serve others, so that the brethren are no longer carried away in deception. If you are in the desert, in solitude, then study the exploits and success (success) of perfect hermits. And if you are in a hostel, then do not neglect the hostel rules. Both, if observed in their place with a clear conscience, are pleasing to God. So, while living in solitude, do not spoil the beautiful examples that were shown by the hermits who preceded you commendably, but in yourself present a useful example to everyone, constantly reflecting on the saying of the Apostle: “All are old, but not all are quick; will shake you in your own way of life. While staying in the hostel, do not deviate from the apostolic and legal rule. Violations that seem small cause significant harm. Therefore, it is good, and very good, not to be arrogant, and therefore not to be condemned, while in reality acting on the inspiration of pride. We must gather together with like-minded brethren for divine services, for vigils, for work, for handicrafts, which serves as the greatest sign of humility. Likewise, come to meals, except in cases of bodily illness, and not give in to your own will, which is characteristic of empty pouting. Everyone is obliged to bring to perfect completion the work that he has begun with all humility and patience; the inconstancy of morals and the habit of being transported in thought from place to place and from one thing to another produce unripe fruit, if only such a person bears any fruit. But the enemy does not make the same attacks on the brother in every place: sometimes (sometimes) he inspires to prefer a harsher life and a strict way of life for good deeds, and sometimes he incites to flee from a useful place, because, as he says, there is not the slightest condescension towards the weak - and thus misleads the thoughts of the brother, corrupting him and making it so that those staying in the hostel dream of the desert, as if there were great things there. silence; He gives the idea to those living in the desert to flee it, as a place that is poor for everyone and does not provide any consolation. The enemy chooses this method most often in order to make his brother, in any case (under any circumstances), insolvent and ridiculous, incapable of achieving perfection in any virtue. If someone begins to build a tower and, bored with the construction, says: “I’d better build passages,” and when he begins to dig the foundation, he says again: “It’s better to build a cell,” but leaves this halfway, then the undertaking of such a person will turn out to be useless. Likewise, a monk who does not maintain spiritual prudence in one place cannot bear perfect fruit. Therefore, those who stay in the hostel must follow the rule with all reverence and in the fear of God. If you are supposed to eat food twice a day, let him take the food with thanksgiving. And if the most reverent of the brethren do anything, then let him do so with a clear conscience and then he will prosper well in the Lord. If the thought comes to mind that too much was offered at the meal, then take into account that the preparation was not done according to our orders. And if, due to the circumstances of the time, what is offered is poor and meager, and the thought begins to express displeasure, then we will judge that the Lord, having become man, did not disdain to eat barley bread. So, with spiritual prudence one must resist the enemy in every way of his attack, in order to repel his charm (seduction) with the power of the Crusader. To abstain beyond measure, I think, is not commendable, but neglecting proper abstinence is not useful. Just as long-term avoidance of prescribed foods produces relaxation and lack of strength for service, so satiety with food exposes (the fasting person) to condemnation. It is said: “Woe to you now when you are filled, for you will hunger” (Luke 6:25). Moreover, he who does not restrain himself from excess will fall into carnal passions. Therefore, the body must be governed piously and properly. Let him who lives in the desert always have the virtues that are appropriate (necessary) for him: Orthodoxy, a humble way of thinking, vigilance and fearlessness, not being distracted and not loving money, observing oneself in sacred things and patience in labors, trying to give everyone consolation and justice in condescension, not being distracted by a godly mind, for this weakens passions and drives away demons, and also not to be afraid of the body illness and approaching death, but with the joy characteristic of one called to the Heavenly Kingdom from a mine or from exile, await the outcome, following the example of the Apostle: “my desire to be resolved, and to be with Christ” (Phil. 1:23). Those staying in the community must adhere to the following: to be obedient to God without any contradiction, also compassionate and unconceited, to have neither covetousness nor ambition, not to become exhausted in vigils and prayers, to observe patience in deeds and in handicrafts; to run, to remain silent, to remain silent, that is, to run from heretics and destructive people, to remain silent about what is forbidden and not pleasing to God, to remain silent, moving away from the noise of everyday affairs; not to move from cell to cell, “not to cause a stumbling block or offense for a brother” (Rom. 14:13), not to say anything without reasoning, not to be enslaved to irritability or anger, not to wear smart clothes, not to polish your flesh for beauty, not to have an unbridled eye. Do not try to show yourself to be skilled in any matter, so as not to fall into vanity, which leads to voluptuousness, anger and sadness. But most of all, try to make yourself simple and even in everything. Protect the body from sin, so as not to lie before the Creator, for we have offered ourselves as a gift to the Lord and no longer have power over our body: whether we are subjected to cramped conditions or struggle, we cannot take the gift back, of our own free will. If someone, having made a vow to God, brought a gift to the Lord, and the priest, taking it, placed it in the church, then, even if the one who brought the gift subsequently repented, he no longer has the power to take it back after bringing it to the Lord. And if he intends to steal secretly, he will not be free from accusation, and not as having taken his own property, but will be punished as a blasphemer. Like them, those who dedicated their souls to God no longer have power over their own body. Blessed are those who follow this path and honor the truth. They, rejoicing and singing songs to God, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, which may we all receive by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to him forever and ever! Amen. You should beware of bad advice. If two richly dressed people walk together across the square, and one, through carelessness, stumbles, falls into the mud and must throw away his excellent clothes, then envy prompts him to push his neighbor into the mud, so that he is not the only one left in an ugly state. So here, too, those who have fallen away from virtue are trying to confuse others, so that they are not the only ones who lead an indecent life. They speak with humility, answer with pleasantness, so that those who obey them, distracting them from chastity, are plunged into sins. They are not ashamed to do evil, but they involve their neighbor in it and say: “Why do you disdain us? Are you condemning us because we are sinners? So and so are eminent people, don’t they do the same thing? Don’t you know that this matter is as important as falling and getting up?” - And in saying this, they are not at all ashamed. Why? Because they themselves, having fallen, do not want to rebel, and many are even tempted to fall and become corrupted. And the devil uses them as bait on the oud. In order to catch unconfirmed souls, they begin to slander the holy prophets. Oh, what a depraved heart such people have! Oh, what lips full of vice and deceit! Oh, what a larynx - a truly open coffin, immediately consigning to decay those who fall into it! They are rightly betrayed “in the passion of dishonor” (Rom. 1:26), because they rejected the knowledge of God. That is why God will reject them for a lot of wickedness - because they did not fear God, did not prefer Christian reverence, deceiving young souls. Therefore, beware of them, beloved, so that they do not burn you with their soft speeches. Avoid meeting with them, so that, as Solomon assures you, you will not become “bitter than gall” and fall on a two-edged sword (Proverbs 5:4). Every person who cares about the salvation of his neighbor, seeing that his neighbor has crawled (slipped) and fallen, tries to raise him; and whoever stands firm is kept from falling. But these people are like devastators. It is most pleasant for them to bring to the fall those who are standing, and those who have fallen and are already on the ground are killed by despair. It would be appropriate to say: “Be attentive to yourself, beloved; The highest is the fear of God, the most honorable is a virtuous life. If you have sinned, do not add new sins, but pray for forgiveness of the old ones. While we are still together, we will soon be separated from each other, and if we harm our neighbor, then, sighing, he will complain about us and say: “Meeting with this man (it would be better for me not to know him!) brought me harm, he seduced my soul. And the cause of what troubles my community with him became for me!” “And if we help our neighbor in a good deed, then, remembering us, he will say: “Help, Lord, this brother, as he helped me for the sake of Your name and established my soul in Your fear, and when my destruction was ready, he saved me by Your grace.” But these people, holding the opposite way of thinking, are true deceivers of souls: for “they do not exactly do it themselves, but they also deign to do it” (Rom. 1:32). And when they see that someone else is refraining from a shameful deed, they collect heaps of absurd pretexts, they say: “Such and such a person is of a cold build.” But even in this case they expose themselves that they are not speaking out of good will. If everything depended on the purpose that was given to a person, then the apostle would not have to exhort: “Everyone who strives will abstain from everyone” (1 Cor. 9:25), but it would be necessary to say: “Every ascetic, if he is of a fervent constitution, should abstain from everything,” that is, as if only some had the need for abstinence, while others did not. Therefore, who among those who love the Lord will not reproach him for such an empty thought? Which husband or wife is not at war with the enemy? Who does he not oppress? Therefore, abstinence is necessary only with a pious thought. So, let us be attentive to ourselves, so as not to bring upon ourselves great condemnation both in this world and after leaving it. He who is handsome today will be ugly tomorrow; because our body is covered with many infirmities. Why do those who love a virtuous life in their blooming age, when they have chosen chastity for themselves, deserve praise, but in old age they are the subject of surprise? - Because the good seed delights the audience not only when it produces greenery in the field, but also when the fields turn white before the harvest, and the bent ear bends towards the ground - it is very pleasant to look at the field then. So, a virtuous life is a very great acquisition. And beware, lest you be led astray by voluptuous people, who, indulging in various excesses, defile their bodies, according to the words of the one who said: “For you who are in danger, stop eating and speaking shamefully from them” (Eph. 5:12). But the Inflower (Solomon), denouncing the lawless action, says: “This is the way of a harlot’s wife: even when she has done, and washed herself away, she speaks insignificantly, and does foolish things” (Proverbs 30:20). So these people, led by habit to sin, after committing a vile deed, neglect it, as if they had not done anything bad. Their whole effort is to satisfy the devil’s lust, especially when they put the Holy Scriptures on a par with something ridiculous (“theirs is a righteous judgment!” Rom. 3:8). They spend time in taverns, drinking wine to the point of intoxication, and therefore abhor reverence and chastity. They are more shameless than even those commoners who lead extremely vicious lives. It is truly worth crying and lamenting that we have come to value bright and glorious virtue so low! But may the great and philanthropic God, rich in mercy and strong in deeds, come to the aid of our weakness, crush Satan under our feet and give us strength and spiritual understanding, so that, spending the rest of our lives in the truth, we may find grace from Him on that great and terrible day of Judgment - because to Him is confession, and dominion, and power throughout all generations and forever and ever! Amen. So, be wise as a serpent and safe as a dove, because you live among wolves (Matthew 10:16). Understand, beloved, what I say. Do not be afraid to die for Christ, even if you face strangulation or a sword, even if you are thrown into a lake or a river stream, or into the depths of the sea - do not betray chastity out of human fear, because you will soon be reduced to dust (freed from the flesh). Do not neglect the commandment of God; although there are no accusers, nothing can be hidden from God, who avenged Abel. Whether you are in a community or in the desert, do not neglect innocence and chastity. “You will be holy, just as I am holy” (Lev.11:44), said the Lord. “Humble yourself and he will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Humble is the one who preaches virtue through deeds. Therefore, whoever holds fast to this will truly be humble, in accordance with the will of the Lord. I do not intend to add much to you about humility, so that from this, by the grace of God, you may know in part His power. The humble one does not become vain or proud, serving the Lord out of fear of Him. The humble person does not establish his own will, contradicting the truth, but obeys it. The humble person does not envy his neighbor’s success, does not rejoice at his contrition, but, on the contrary, rejoices with those who rejoice and weeps with those who weep. The humble one is not humbled in deprivation and poverty, and does not appear arrogant in prosperity and glory - he constantly remains in the same virtue. A humble person does not slander brother against brother (this is a satanic act), but serves as a peacemaker for them, not repaying evil for evil. The humble person respects not only his superiors, but also his inferiors. The humble person strives for reverence with all his might. A humble person does not get carried away by irritability, does not insult anyone, does not shout at anyone, but out of reverence despises everything. The humble man is not stubborn and is not lazy, even if they call him to work at midnight, for he has placed himself in obedience to the commandments of the Lord. The humble person knows neither vexation nor guile, but with simplicity and integrity serves the Lord in holiness, in peace and in spiritual joy. The humble man does not get drunk with wine, does not indulge in gluttony, fearing the commandment of the Lord. A humble person, if he hears a reprimand, does not complain, and if he is bitten, will not lose patience, for he is a disciple of Him who endured the Cross for us. The humble person hates pride, and therefore does not strive for primacy, but considers himself in the world as a temporary swimmer on a ship. The humble person loves to listen to spiritual speeches and does not remove his mind from the commandments of the Most High, for he truly denied himself in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed are such people, and the Lord will say to them: “To whom did I speak, O servants... but I have made you friends” (John 15:15). Glory to him forever and ever! Amen. It is not unknown to me what clever thoughts you were talking about, because I am troubled by the same passions, and I do not hide my weakness. Therefore, we need to constantly pray that the Lord will deliver us from the wiles of demons. For thoughts not only oppress us when we are in silence and solitude, but they also rebel strongly when we gather in the house of the Lord. They make it so that we look at men’s bodies indecently and uncleanly, and the serpent brings us to the very shameful thing with dreamy thoughts. He instills some kind of mixture of thoughts so that the brother becomes distracted and cannot listen with a pure mind to the undefiled Mysteries of our Savior God. But by guarding the eyes and attentiveness of the mind, the self-controlled one, with the assistance of God’s grace, will overcome the serpent. You must guard your heart and your feelings with all caution. In this life we ​​are waging a great war, and our enemy is furious. One should not give up the fight. At the very least, let’s physically defeat the enemy’s dreams and let him rush (rage) out of frustration. The Lord knows what cruel inflammations our oppressor produces in our hearts with his thoughts. The Lord does not look like a man; “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Moreover, the fighters do not have to accept the challenge to fight. And who lives in peace with passions, how can he fight with them, having already sold himself as a slave to pleasure and willingly paying tribute to the tormentor? Where there is enmity, there is abuse; and where there is battle, there is struggle; Where there is struggle, there will be crowns. If anyone wants to free himself from bitter slavery, then let him enter into battle with the devil. The saints were awarded heavenly blessings only by becoming winners in this battle. But perhaps someone else will enter into a conversation and say: “If where there is enmity, there is usually abuse, then we see that sensualists are strongly fought by indecent passions, but do not allow them to repent?” “I don’t think, beloved, that there is a fight here for virtue and resistance to the tormentor.” On the contrary, here is a passion for servility and lust, and therefore by their will (desire) they are not separated from the enemy. Those who have entered into war do not have any agreement among themselves and are not zealous for each other; as the foreigner says to Saul: “Give me a man who can fight with me alone, and if he overcomes me, we will be your servants. If I am able to overcome him, you will be our servants” (1 Samuel 17:10, 9). So, since these people have already sold themselves as slaves to the enemy’s will and pleasures, can what is happening there be called warfare? And if they fight, it is not in competition in virtue, but because of the difficult situation in which one who enters into an unlawful agreement naturally puts himself. Those who apply all their efforts to something like this themselves surrender themselves into the hands of (the enemy), and, captivated, offer their services and promise rewards, if only to fulfill the will of the one who seduced them. If bad things happen to them, they will not have any prudence, self-restraint, or desire to avoid bad things. But such is not the warfare and strife of the saints. They, being fought, oppose, inflamed, they stand firm, and when the very object of desire appears before them, they turn away from it out of fear of the Lord. The same ones are fought not for a way of thinking that is contrary to the tormentor, but so that they pay (the enemy) the usual tribute and do not renounce serving evil wishes. “For if anyone is overcome, he also has work to do” (2 Pet. 2:19). If any of the ascetics falters, the sooner he will rise. Those held captive by barbarians and under the power of tormentors are not all happy with their enslavement; but those of them who agree to rob and kill those they meet, joyfully remain in captivity, without shackles and guards, held back by passions; they fight for the barbarians and, out of malice, acting in concert with them, are sent on reconnaissance against their fellow tribesmen. And those who complain about the plunder and devastation of their fellow tribesmen, mourning the destruction of their own souls, hasten to flee, not tolerating a lawless way of life, are looking for the time to regain the freedom that they once enjoyed, and do not have the slightest favor towards their opponents. Having escaped from their hands, such people will become opponents of the wicked, becoming supporters of piety. So, the present time is a time of repentance. Whoever wants to free himself from reproach and get rid of bitter slavery (sin), must resist the will of the tormentor and fight with him out of love for the Creator. Then they will show the experience of valiant struggle, exuding the sweat of virtue, when not only with their lips, but also with their hearts they will say to the tormentor: “Let it be known to you, devil, that we will not listen to your voice, and we will no longer serve your whims.” But during the struggle, it is necessary to raise a prayerful voice to God with those who say: “There is no cold for those who trust in Thee. And now let us follow with all our hearts, and fear You, and seek Your face. Do not disgrace us, but deal with us according to Your meekness, and according to the abundance of Your mercy. And redeem us according to Your wonders, and give glory to Your name, O Lord. And let all who show evil to Your servants be put to shame, and let all power be put to shame, and let their strength be broken, and let them understand that You are the only Lord God, and glorious throughout the whole world” (Dan. 3:40-45). And even if the enraged tormentor of the seventh day kindled the furnace of lusts, let those who trust in the Lord be confident that the furnace will soon turn into dew, and the tormentor, whom they previously feared, will finally tremble in their shadows because of the help that descended on the ascetics from above. Therefore, blessed are those who observe holy things with humility and mercy. Their members will enjoy deep peace when their soul rejoices in the Holy Spirit. But let no one hope to achieve peace by submitting himself to the wishes of the enemy. Rather, the torturer himself will use them as military prisoners, involving them in every evil deed, corrupting the body of others, shamefully desecrating them with the deeds of Sodom. Although they have not known a wife, the enemy instills in them the idea of ​​attributing virginity to themselves, while their whole body is full of filth. And the enemy does to them in such a way that although they are exalted as free from sin, he saturates them with a bunch of gall and a bunch of sorrow (Deut. 32:32). Oh, what a terrible, what a difficult battle! How many ways in which the worst fisherman brings us, humans, to the point where we irritate the Lord! Blessed are those who did not fall into his net, and if they did, they broke his bonds and disappeared, fleeing from him like a fish escaping from the deep. And while the fish is caught in the water, it will break the net and hide in the depths and be saved, but when it is brought to land, it can no longer help itself. So we, while still in this life, have from God the power to break the bonds of the enemy’s will, by repentance to throw off the burden of sins and be saved for the Kingdom of Heaven. And if a terrible command of God overtakes us, and the soul leaves the body, and the body is committed to the grave, then we will no longer be able to help ourselves, just as a fish, taken from the waters and enclosed in a vessel, can no longer help itself. Therefore, beloved, let us strive to escape the snares of the enemy through good works, until that great and glorious day comes when everything we have done in secret and in darkness will be revealed. Let us not wait for death to come, lest we remain in shame at the resurrection of the dead, when the saints put on the bright robe that they have prepared for themselves through good deeds. If we then see ourselves not only naked (devoid of) lightning glory, but also blackened, filled with a stench, then what kind of shame will take possession of us? Let us neglect the matter of evil lust and, imputing it to nothing, we will overcome this small thing with piety and in the most unimportant we will not find ourselves unworthy of praise. The work of sin is a great shipwreck. We will try not to expose ourselves to such danger. Due to our negligence, passions rule over us - because we want to live without work, and we invent inappropriate excuses for this. One says: “Since infancy I have lived in a monastery, and therefore passions attack me strongly.” But let him hear that many of the saints, having fought the good fight from a young age, trampled on pleasures. Another again says: “I was brought up in the world, I experienced a lot of bad things, so skill forces me to desires (lusts).” Let him also hear that many of the saints led lives that were worse than the worst, but in the end, having changed their lifestyle, they turned out to be valiant, pleasing God, for they obeyed with all their hearts the one who said: “Do not be jealous of the wicked, do not be jealous of those who create iniquity. Like the grass the grass will soon dry up, like the herb the herbs will soon fall away” (Ps. 37:1-2). The evil one deceives us, prompting us to do everything destructive in order to bring us to the point of neglecting the fear of the Lord, but we will ward off his poison from ourselves with more intense thoughts, with the assistance of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion forever and ever! Amen. One of the saints said: “Think about the good so as not to think about the bad, because the mind does not tolerate being idle.” Therefore, let us devote our minds to teaching in the Words of God, prayers and good thoughts. Engaging in vain thoughts gives rise to vain deeds; and engaging in good thoughts also brings good fruit. Let us imagine in our minds that many oppressors took possession of countries and strong cities, and their glory faded away, and they disappeared, as if they had never existed. How many kings were there who ruled many nations, setting up their images and erecting pillars, thinking thereby to perpetuate their name after the end of their lives! And others came, overthrew their images, crushed the statues and, erasing their facial features, depicted their own image; but their deeds were destroyed by others. Others built magnificent coffins for themselves, thinking thereby to establish an eternal name for themselves by depicting their features on the tombstone. But another generation has come; the lot has been given over to someone else. And he, intending, as was natural, to clear the pile, carried their bones like rubble. What did the valuable mass or pyramid serve? Thus all the works of vanity turn into nothing! But this is not the case with those who grow rich in God and seek their glory in Him. They prepared for themselves eternal life and indestructible glory. Although every kind of flesh and blood in time reaps, like ripe wheat, the light of the sun and the moon, and the host of stars has not darkened until now, from their creation to the present time has not changed from old age. He is equally young, and strong, and clear, according to the definition of the Creator, Who appointed them to “rule day and night” (Gen. 1:18)! In the same way, He has determined the Kingdom of Heaven and endless joy for those who love God. And just as in one thing He is not false, so in another He is true. And although this (earthly and universal) will pass away whenever the Creator pleases, there will be no end to the glory of the saints. Therefore, let us try to create the fruits of repentance, so that we do not lose future joy, so that we do not be exiled “to a dark and gloomy land, to a land of eternal darkness” (Job 10:21-22). Enter, if you wish, into your bedchamber, close the windows, block all the holes into which light could penetrate, and sit inside; and you will see what an unpleasant feeling the darkness produces even where you sit without labor or torment, and where you have complete power, as soon as you want, to make a hole and get out of there. What kind of painful feeling do you think that pitch darkness would produce in you, where there is “crying and gnashing of teeth?” Look into the smoke hole in your house, then look towards the east of the sun, notice the difference - and run away from the works of darkness. Vice is darkness, and virtue is light. Vice, when followed, blackens its leaders, and virtue, when practiced in it, makes those who succeed bright. Do not think, beloved, that you are the only one who endures more sorrows than anyone else: “every head is in sorrow, and every heart is in sorrow” (Is. 1:5). Just as it is impossible for someone living on earth to escape its air, so a person living in this world cannot help but be tempted by sorrows and illnesses. Those who are distracted by earthly things from earthly things experience sorrow, and those who strive for the spiritual about the spiritual become sick. But the latter will be blessed, because their fruit will be abundant in the Lord. Have perfect patience in the work to which you are called. Strengthen both anchors and ropes so that your boat is not gradually driven into the sea, and then experience will tell you what kind of peace you experienced while in the pier. The world is likened to the sea, and the ascetic life is like a pier. Do not like to move from place to place, but rather, through patience, benefit from the temptations you encounter during your journey. But I will also say that when we go around the whole world, won’t the cell meet us if we want to be saved? And if we don’t have the patience to stay in a hostel, and we don’t find silence for ourselves in solitude, then where, finally, will we find shelter? This is like saying: “I can’t stand the warmth of the sun, and the shadow is unbearable for me.” Where then should we land? I'm afraid that that same "cave" will hide us inside itself. Therefore, let us not be careless, let us not harbor an aversion to work. If we are prisoners of our Savior God, then we will not be ashamed to bear the chains of sorrows, but will endure them with joy, awaiting His coming from heaven; then he will number us among the saints, “just as we share passions, so also do we have consolation” (2 Cor. 1:7). If someone is burdened by fatigue at work, then how many people in the world are there whose arms and legs hurt, and although they are rich people, have many servants around them, yet they have no rest either night or day, necessarily languishing from exhaustion, as if bound by some chains and bonds? So, let us take upon ourselves arbitrary labor and self-willed patience out of fear of God. And let us not help but care about patience, about humility, about abstinence, about compassion (I mean compassion not in helping our neighbor in vice, but in helping our brother in the spiritual, how he can have tenderness and tears). Although there are no visible tears, let your heart be contrite, because there is a difference between tears. But blessed is he who in his soul, as in a mirror, contemplates the Lord and, together with tears, spills His glory in the face of His goodness, and his prayer will be heard. I will offer you other advice about the Lord, as a man of God and one who desires to be saved. Having risen, after accepting consolation (the morning rule and meal), do not walk around the cells, but remain silent in your own, for the devil deceives many with wine. Therefore, after accepting consolation, being in someone else’s cell is a sign of fearlessness and corruption. In such meetings, the fall of souls occurs, especially when the abbot’s staff is inactive; whoever does not want to curb his mind with the fear of God needs human fear, so that he is kept from useless things, just as a slave is chaste under the severity of his master. So, be attentive to yourself and do not indulge in negligence, because “showing wisdom in wine” will not bring or receive any benefit. If you have studied all of the Divine Scripture, then be careful not to let this thought puff you up, for all of the Divinely inspired Scripture teaches humility. And whoever thinks or does the opposite of what he has learned, thereby shows that he is a criminal (apostate). If the spirit of pride, or lust, or wealth disturbs you, then do not get carried away by it, but, on the contrary, stand courageously against the militia of the evil and flattering spirit, imagining in your thoughts ancient buildings, dilapidated images, pillars eaten away by rust - and think with yourself, look, where are the owners and those who built all of the above? Try to please the Lord in order to make you worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven: “All flesh is grass, and all the glory of man is like the flower of grass” (1 Peter 1:24). What is higher and more glorious than royal power? But others, having desired it, achieved it, but due to the circumstances they encountered, they neglected glory and, preferring death to life, intended evil for themselves (suicide), because they did not seek God and did not hope to expect salvation from Him. But those worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom did not experience anything like this, being in peace and joy in heaven with the Angels, without illness and sadness and sighing, in joy and joy praising, exalting and magnifying the King of Heaven and the Lord of all the earth. To him be praise and glory and greatness forever and ever! Amen. You might be interested in: