Советы новоначальному монаху о духовной жизни

(In 96 chapters. According to the Slavic translation, part II. Word 26) 1. I praised your faith and diligence, because you wanted to hear from a sinner something useful for your vow, and even more than once or twice you bothered (asked) about it, which is a sign of a valiant soul. But the ugliness of my deeds forces me to hesitate - their stench is unbearable; however, what inclines me to obedience is your desire to hear the word about the fear of God. For only those who go through spiritual life delight in speeches whose subject is virtue. Those who are inclined towards a life devoted to passions do not tolerate hearing about the spiritual, but they laugh at it, and whoever tells them, they drive him away from them. Conversing about passions and pleasures, they do not know satiety and agree to better deprive themselves of food and sleep than to put an end to such idle talk. 2. But do spiritual things so that the remembrance of God remains in you. Disdain useless speeches, because it is impossible for stench and aroma to be in harmony. 3. Be fair in your leniency: whether you are on the road, or on a ship, or in a cell; whether you live with a young man or an old man. Work with knowledge and judgment, so that nothing you have done is lost. 4. Eat simple and necessary foods, so that your mind does not become coarse through overeating, drunkenness and the sorrows of life (Luke 21:34). Those possessed by such passions classify fornication as not fornication, and adultery as not adultery - and they do not deny everything that the pagans do who do not know God. On the contrary, they do all this without fear, no different from pigs in the mud; They do not remember either the law, or the prophets, or the Lord Himself, who became man to destroy lawless sin. Relying on one image of piety, they boast about it, because those who are subject to the dominion of the mind through negligence and lack of fear of God are darkened, doing the opposite. Therefore, do not be addicted to meat and drinking wine, so as not to make your mind incapable of accepting spiritual gifts. 5. If you are talking with your brother about thoughts, and your tongue, reasoning sensibly, creeps (towards temptation), because your soul has succumbed to voluptuous thoughts, then, beware, wanting to cover yourself in self-condemnation and not fall under the reproach of your neighbor, do not resort to extravagant and comic speeches. This will not certify your brother, but you will betray yourself to an evil demon. It’s better to resort to prayer and silence, and the grace of the Holy Spirit will fall on you again, and you will avoid insanity. 6. If a newcomer has been entrusted to you, then, out of compassion, do not be too lenient towards him or even beyond what the Creator requires. If he does not care about the good “yoke of the Lord,” then be careful that you do not get carried away with him. When the boat is lost, the ship should not be left neglected. 7. Be guided in your actions by the knowledge of the Lord - and you will not get entangled in the snares of the devil. It is the devil’s habit to do evil through good. 8. If you ask the abbot about a brother who has been expelled from the monastery for corrupting the brotherhood, then do not urgently ask the father about this, but as if only remind him, leaving the matter to God’s will, so that the expelled one, if he has not yet come to the consciousness of his foolishness, does not harm the brotherhood by entering the monastery. And a spark, falling on the threshing floor, ignites the work of the whole summer. 9. Everyone must, as much as necessary, endure the shortcomings of his neighbor out of trust in God. But woe to the one who is tolerated and does not understand it! 10. He who lives in the desert is delivered from three battles: from seeing, from hearing, and from speaking. He who is silent in society is also freed from three wars: from buying, from selling and from the invasion of robbers. Therefore, you must already protect your conscience. 11. If you are talking to a person of youthful age and blossoming with beauty, then watch your eye so that your mind is not disturbed by lust, for then you will begin to prolong your speeches, full of passionate movement. It will turn out that you talk about chastity with the edges of your lips, but with your soul you indulge in debauchery and are completely occupied with it. On the contrary, when you happen to have such a meeting, then quickly interrupt your speech and embrace silence. Scripture says: “deceive him with much conversation” (Prov. 7:21), and private conversations about such subjects cause significant harm to the soul. Therefore, do not delve into such subjects for fear that sin, having deceived you with “much conversation,” will force you to do something unlawful. 12. To the extent that someone cuts off and humbles his will, to the same extent he goes to prosperity. And the more stubbornly he adheres to his own will, the more reproach and harm he causes himself. Therefore, do not want to be servile to your own will, but rather be obedient to the will of God. 13. If one of the monks, being careless, deviates from the path he has chosen, then the enemy instills shamelessness in him, so that, if he turns out to be malicious the next time, the guardian brothers could not so easily persuade him to chastity and self-correction. 14. Do not throw off your submission to Christ, because its fruit is lasting and reliable. 15. If one of the ascetics, tempted by a hater of good, is brought to the point of falling, but does not yet harbor hatred or envy in himself towards other ascetics, then the Lord will not leave him in error, but will extend a helping hand to correction, for he has not yet rejected love. And whoever outwardly stands firmly, but begins to be puffed up with pride and harbor hatred in himself, will not be safe, because the clouding of hatred has blinded his eyes, and he does not see where he is going. 16. If you stand in the house of the Lord for spiritual service, then be diligent in psalmody. If you remain silent, and I also remain silent, and your neighbor also remains silent, then, of necessity, the psalmody will stop. But let it not be! Those who greet a prince or king, when they stand at a spectacle and see that someone is standing with them, but does not exclaim loudly together, recognizing him as unworthy of such a place, drive him away from them. Therefore, we must perform prayers without laziness and negligence. 17. Woe to the unjust! Woe to the luxurious! Woe to the proud! When the oppression of hell and the strangulation of death befall them, then experience will show them that the fear of God is most important. 18. Love good company, but stay away from bad company. And the sorcerer, and the robber, and the robber of graves were not born this way, but learned from people whose minds were corrupted by Satan, for God created “all good things.” 19. Do not enjoy baths, drinks and a lot of meats, lest you fall into insurmountable dangers by sinning in something important. 20. Acquire a virtuous life and right faith, and who among the people will not please such a person? 21. When leaving your cell to serve or to talk with someone, protect your eye; excite your heart with a pious thought, saying: “You are not a painter and you didn’t come out to learn how to copy images from people.” Be attentive to yourself. Having a mind occupied with the sensual, will it be possible for you in a pure mind, as in a mirror, to contemplate the invisible and delight and delight yourself in the remembrance of God? 22. Stop being curious about the vices of others, so that your pious thoughts are not naturally corrupted. 23. Maintain silence; it will save you from many defilements. Constantly remember the narrowness of sinners, fearing that you too will soon be counted among their number. 24. Have you sometimes entered a house weeping and, seeing the sobbing and lamentation, have you not hastened to leave the house? One must guess from the temporal about the eternal. Remember what is said: “Give wine to the wise, and he will be the wisest” (Proverbs 9:9). 25. If the thought comes to you to leave your place, and from those who have come to you under the guise of compassion, someone begins to approve of your departure, saying that you have a good reason for grief, then do not accept his advice recklessly. And if someone begins to reprove and persuade you, then it is better to listen to him than to the first one, for such people are more concerned about the salvation of the brethren. 26. I think many people do not know about thoughts born from loss of spirit, especially among those who are silent in solitude. But I want you to be firm in your reasoning (understanding) of this. 27. When the soul suffers from being occupied with the sensual, then the mind, having retreated from the beautiful heavenly contemplation, expectation and thoughts of future benefits, is chained to the sensual, chasing sensual pleasure, servile to envy and vice. 28. Alas, what should I, pathetic one, do? My weakness is great, loneliness, poverty and lack of strength oppress me. “I can’t work, I’m ashamed to ask” (Luke 16:3). I removed myself from my family affairs. He could have prospered, but he fell into disastrous circumstances. Others pleased me, but now I have become a subject of reproach for them. Sadness oppresses my heart because of the misfortune that has befallen me. There is no helper, no compassionate; I was subjected to great dishonor. So-and-so was elevated to priest, and so-and-so was made head, but I am not noble, not famous, abandoned by everyone. No one will take care of me, fallen into poverty and illness. One has become extremely rich, the other is accompanied by disciples, which is why they spend time with eminent people; but I live in great disgrace and need daily food. They dress luxuriously for going out, but I don’t even have the necessary coverings. When, having ended their days in contentment, they pass from this life, then, having been rewarded with a magnificent burial, they lie with incense in whitewashed tombs, perpetuating their name with a tombstone inscription. And I, having died, will hardly even be worthy of burial; for lack of those who visit me, my cell will be my grave. My heart hurts, and what should I do? My eyes are tired, looking at the door, and no one will knock. I am overwhelmed with sadness, and no one consoles me. Extremely oppressed, and no one has compassion. Alas for me, my days have disappeared in illness! 29. Say, O man, to your soul: “Thou art sorrowful, my soul; Vskuyu embarrassed me; trust in God” (Ps. 41:6) - and you will cast off your wrong thoughts. For if you had not thought about earthly things, you would not have become entangled in such networks. Moreover, know that every person, whether he is eminent or humiliated, if he lives according to the will of God, should not be despised. And whoever marvels at the temporary and chases after temporary pleasure deprives himself of the consolation of the righteous. 30. So, if you are trying to achieve eternal joy, then do not give entry to perverse thoughts that lead to apostasy from God. For He who said: “He who finds his life will lose his life; and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). That is why the apostle says: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears, your life, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4). 31. Why are you surprised, pleasing the temporary and rushing past you like a stream? A magnificent burial, a whitened tomb and vain praise - what benefit will they bring to a person who lived in wickedness, when he himself does not receive relief for himself? 32. What is the use of the shine of the walls and ceilings for someone lying in a gilded chamber, when he himself is tormented by passions? Or when his body is devoured, bitten inside by the serpent? What will be the benefit to a separated soul from the care of many about the body if there is no praise from the Lord in the great Church? Therefore, do not be surprised at what is temporary and melts like wax. You will say: “They live with the rich.” But in prayer you converse with God the All-King, eating the Body of His Only Begotten Son and drinking His Blood. Rejoice in joy that you have been worthy to become His church! 33. So, do not be faint-hearted, seeing that in this life you are in disgrace or in illness, or in extreme old age and poverty. He who feeds the birds of the air will not leave you without His provision. You are overwhelmed by the thought of not being bothered by dullness of vision. Consider that the righteous also endured this. Why did Isaac say to Jacob, when he was receiving the blessing: “Come close to me, and I will touch you, son, if you are my son Esau” (Gen. 27:21)? But the eye of their mind was clarified (enlightened), cleansed from vice. And cleanse yourself from vice, and do not pay attention to bodily illness, “for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). But you don’t have how to satisfy your necessary needs? Imagine Herod, abounding in wealth and pleasures, and the Forerunner bound in prison, like some villain and insignificant person. He who said: “In the world you will have sorrow... and the world will rejoice: you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be joy” (John 16:33, 20). 34. But you will say: “I spent my life in cramped circumstances. I was neither noble nor famous, and even after death there was no one to remember me.” This is a sign of extreme madness and a disease of the fame-loving soul! How many, do you think, during the persecution were there who fought for our Savior God? And they still remain unknown to the world. And of those who died in the mountains, in dens and in the abysses of the earth, have those really perished (in the eyes of God) whose memory is not accomplished by people? Not at all. All will be written in His Book. Therefore, “be wise above, not on earth” (Col. 3:2), for the “life” of the righteous “is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). Don't worry about work; We who remain (still living) give joy to those who in the Lord have proven themselves skilled in labor, in distress and in need. Therefore, if you want to be an heir of the righteous, do not despise humility, do not flee from suffering in your labors, but endure in order to be worthy of endless life, joy and glory, as the apostle says: “The passions of this present time are unworthy of the glory that would be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). If you want your opponent to not deceive you in anything, then believe that everything, whether you do anything or think, is not hidden from God. And if your thoughts waver regarding the knowledge of God, then take the prophet Elisha as an example. When the king of Israel had a war with the Syrian, the king of Syria held a meeting with his youths, saying: “I will take up arms in this place.” And Elisha sent the ambassador to the king of Israel, saying: Be careful not to come to this place, for the Syrians have fallen asleep. And the king sent to the place about which Elisha had spoken to him, and from there, not only one, but twice. And the soul of the king of Siris was troubled by this word: and he called his servants, and said unto them, Tell me who is betraying me to the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, “Nor, my lord, to the king, for Elisha the prophet, who was in Israel, proclaimed to the king of Israel all the words that you spoke in the treasures of your bed” (2 Kings 6:8-12). And if what was done in secret was not hidden from the prophet, then can anything be hidden from the Creator of all things? No way. That is why we are commanded to pray in cages, as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said: “But whenever you pray, go into your cage, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret: and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you in reality” (Matthew 6:6). Let us reject every vicious thought from ourselves, so as not to perish. “Hell is naked before Him, and there is no covering for destruction” (Job 26:6). We are before the eyes of God, whether we want it or not. So, don't be discouraged and don't doubt. Rejoice in sorrows, because crowns are woven from various flowers, and the righteous through many sorrows enter into the joy of their Lord. 35. Do not desire authority over souls, lest, having not yet reached the level of dispassion, you do harm to yourself and those who follow you. And if you are involuntarily attracted, then take care to fulfill not your own will, but the will of Him who has entrusted to You the care of the verbal sheep. For He says through the prophet Ezekiel: “O the shepherds of Israel, the shepherds feed their own food; do not the shepherds feed the sheep? Behold, you eat milk, and clothe yourself with wool, and slay the fat, and do not feed My sheep. You did not pick up the weak, and did not heal the sick, and did not oblige the contrite, and did not return to the erring, and did not seek the lost, and the mighty insulter through labor... And My sheep were scattered, because I did not name the shepherds, and they were devoured by all the wild beasts. And My sheep were scattered over all the mountains, and over all the high hills, and My sheep were scattered on the face of all the earth, and there was no one who sought or turned. For this reason, O shepherd, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, says the Lord Adonai, because My flock was made to be spoiled, and My sheep were devoured by every wild beast, for there were no shepherds, and I did not look for shepherds of My sheep, and the shepherds tended themselves, but did not shepherd My sheep. For this reason, O shepherd, hear the word of the Lord: This says... The Lord: Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My sheep out of their hands, and I will leave My sheep out of their pasture, and the shepherds will not feed them: they will feed below themselves, and I will take My sheep out of their mouth, and no one will let them eat them” (Ezek. 34:3-10). 36. Thus, one must fully understand how dangerous it is to carelessly and negligently look after subordinates. The abbot must be the most knowledgeable and vigilant in the matter of saving his subordinates: observe each person’s gait, body movements and clothing; it is indecent to denounce, but to lead for the better. Teachers show students the outlines of not only letters, but also subtle punctuation marks, and each sign is assigned its place. Likewise, the abbot must instill in the brothers everything, even the smallest thing related to salvation, and must point out the punishments awaiting the lazy, so that, standing as a wall, they separate the guilty from the innocent. In this case, the wolves, seeing the care of the shepherd, will run away from the flock of verbal sheep. 37. Nothing leads a soul to salvation and makes it so good at work as if there is a teacher who preaches virtue by deed, according to the words of the one who said: “See unto me and do likewise” (Judges 7:17). 38. We, students, should not be disobedient and contradictory, but show all humility before God and before people. And if it happens that the mentor, although he preaches virtue in word, does not care about deeds, then on this occasion we will not give the enemy an opportunity to corrupt our soul. Let us remember the One who said: “The scribes and the Pharisee sit in the seats of Moses. Whatever slaughter they command you to observe, observe and do; but do not do them by deeds: they say, but do not do them” (Matthew 23:2-3). 39. Observe yourself at all times, so as not to cause a stumbling block (not to give a reason) or temptation to your neighbor, fearing the threat of Him who said through the prophet: “Woe to him who besieges his companion with muddy corruption” (Hab. 2:15). And again: “This says the Lord Adonai: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, ram and goat. Is it not enough for you that you have grazed in good pasture, and trampled the rest of your pasture with your feet, and poured down the settled water, and disturbed the remains with your feet: and my sheep were trampled alive by your feet, and the disturbed water was drunken with your feet. For this reason says the Lord Adonai: Behold, I will judge between the strong sheep and the weak sheep. With your ribs and shoulder straps, and with your horns, you bodost, and every weak phaste, I drove out the Dondezh. And I will save My sheep, and they will not be despoiled, and I will judge between... ram and ram” (Ezek. 34: 17-22). So, let us not be proud, for from self-love, like branches, vices are repelled (grow). Self-love is destroyed by love, which attracts everyone to like-mindedness and binds everyone together. Love is a great and precious acquisition, so try not to fall away from love. So, taking care of our salvation, let us spare our own members, presenting in ourselves to our neighbors an example of virtue: in faith, in love, in patience, in purity, in submission, in humility, in the fear of God - not being carried away by bad desires, but striving in spiritual labors. Luxury and peace are contrary to a perfect life. 40. Let us follow the narrow and cramped path, loving contrition of heart, so that the remembrance of death may remain in us, and so that we may be freed from condemnation. For it is said: “Woe to you who laugh now: for you will mourn and mourn” (Luke 6:25). “Blessed are those who mourn” now, “for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Let's look into the grave and see the secrets of our nature - a pile of bones lying one on top of the other, skulls stripped of flesh, and other bones. Looking at them, we will see ourselves. Where is the beauty of true color, where is the goodness of the cheek? By thinking this way, let us renounce carnal desires and not be ashamed at the resurrection. Without not caring about yourself, remember my weakness in your prayers, so that the Lord God will remember me too - a worm and ashes, and deliver me from the torment prepared for sinners, and honor me with the joy of heaven. For His goodness, and righteousness, and “His tender mercies are in all His works” (Ps. 145:9). Amen. 41. One brother talked about such a thing, which he heard from another brother. In a certain city there lived a man. And he had with him a mercenary, to whom he entrusted all his property. The mercenary came up with the idea of ​​going into monasticism. His owner, wanting to divert the young man from this intention, did almost everything, because he was understanding in his affairs. But he could not keep the young man with him. Thus the young man, having renounced the world, entered the brotherhood. But after a few years, the thought of returning to the world began to overcome him. Leaving his cell, he returned to the owner under the pretext of visiting. The owner received his brother with pleasure once or twice; the third time, the brother, throwing off the mask of hypocrisy, revealed to the owner the passion hidden in him, saying: “Since I can no longer bear the yoke of monastic life, I beg you, sir, take me with you and dispose of me as before. I hope that now I have become even more understanding in matters than before. I heard from you that you intended to give me your daughter as a wife.” But he answered him: “If you did not keep your conscience before God, will you keep it before me?” - And the brother, struck by this word like a whip, returned to his cell. So, let us not lose heart while enduring labor, for it is written: “He who sows with tears will reap with joy” (Ps. 125:5). 42. To accept God’s commandments, have simplicity, and to repel the machinations of the enemy, have cunning. 43. Smartly distance yourself from harmful encounters so that (your) inner man may rest well. 44. Do not be cunning and burdensome for others with your will (do not deliberately be deceitful), so that they do not stumble you when you think to stand firm. 45. Practice not being angry, so as not to get drunk without wine, burdening yourself with vice and anger. 46. ​​Do not be power-hungry and careless, so that the Lord will not be blasphemed for your sake. 47. Do not spend time with hypocrites (hypocrites), lest your thoughts be corrupted, for their speeches are very harmful. They force old people to act like youths; and the young are drawn into lawless deeds. 48. Do not listen to the advice of bad people, because they have made themselves slaves of the belly and carnal passions. 49. A fornicator cannot love one who abhors passion, and a thief cannot love one who shuns unrighteousness; but “a man like himself shall cleave” (Sir.13:20). 50. Do not let pleasure seem sweet to you, lest its torment become bitter for you. 51. Every day expect your departure and prepare for this path: at an hour you do not expect, a terrible command will come - and woe to the unprepared! Beautiful is contrition of heart; it heals human souls. 52. When someone cries, then he will not sin; no one in contrition of heart plots evil. With heartfelt contrition, tears come, and tears are followed by belittlement of evil, turning oneself away from bad deeds. 53. Look for something to overcome voluptuousness; it is left to your doing. 54. A refuge from voluptuousness is, firstly, frequent and sober prayer, and then - give dominion to the mind and pure thought, do not utter an unruly word that is inconsistent with a decent need, being confident that the Lord is an infallible Judge. Attentiveness of mind and expectation of Judgment will destroy the inner tickling and dry up the intensifying lust. There will be silence in such a soul. 55. Stick to the place where you live, resisting laziness. For it is not by change of place or distance, but by attentiveness of the mind that you can tame passions. We need patience so that “having done the will of God,” we may be made worthy of the “promises” (Heb. 10:36). One who indulges in despondency is as far from patience as a sick person is from health. Virtue is learned not in despondency, but in patience. Patience is renewed and strengthened when the mind is occupied with contemplation and thinking about it. The mind thus nourished gains strength, like the body from eating sensual foods. If the mind does not desire such grace and dignity, it will indeed become poor and weak. Therefore, having cast off your attachment to material things, exercise your mind in Divine work. And there will be no need to move the body from place to place and exhaust it with wanderings, without a good reason and the permission of the superiors. For the “Kingdom” of Heaven “is within you” (Luke 17:21). 56. Wherever you live, try to be unburdened and blameless, so that you may prosper well in the Lord. If you become a despiser, then be careful that humiliation does not pour out on you, as a guide to unworthy actions, from your most faithful (virtuous brother). 57. To rejoice and be glad about your neighbor’s success is a trait of perfection; a sign of malice and evil disposition is to grieve and be dissatisfied when someone else is approved of. 58. Why is the good reputation of a successful person unpleasant for you, O man? You will not be saved if one or the other does not receive salvation. Or will You reign only because others will be expelled from the Kingdom of Heaven? You are not the only one who will find a place in the Kingdom of Heaven. You are not the only one destined for heavenly joy. Why does the salvation of many grieve you? So, do not disgrace the deeds of pure love, and do not replace the deeds of lawful living with vexation and severe malice. Let no one deceive you: neither man, nor the devil, nor the thought nesting in the heart. It is an impossible task to bring virtue to solidity without dissolving it with love. For whoever among you has all the understanding, and all the faith that can climb mountains, according to the saying of the Apostle (1 Cor. 13:2), but does not have love, will not receive any benefit, but will remain far from the straight path leading to the gates of heaven. Therefore, we need many tears in order to free ourselves from the bonds of hatred, envy, pride and all devilish filth. It is a demonic disposition to be offended by the virtues of those who excel. Hatred has infiltrated the demons; what they want most is for everyone to perish completely. The saints, imitating their Master, desire “to be saved as a whole and to come into the understanding of truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), because, filled with love, they loved their neighbor as themselves. 59. If you are chaste, do not be proud of your abstinence, but in humility pray to the Lord to be your Guardian to the end, for it often happens that a sudden invasion of four-legged animals into a vineyard ruins the fruit due to the negligence of the guardian. 60. If you have wealth, do not think highly of yourself, because you have not yet gotten rid of dangers and malice, and the enjoyment of wealth is fragile, for very quickly and unexpectedly a change can occur, according to what is written: “I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking like slaves on earth” (Eccl. 10:7). 61. If your limbs are well-built, then do not become arrogant about your bodily strength, but consider what and how many dangers your body is surrounded by. If we see people who suffer from incurable diseases and have lost members, or are possessed by unclean spirits, then they were not born like that from their mother’s womb; most of them suddenly became like this; an age that was blooming yesterday is fading today, disfigured by diseases that are difficult to cure. Therefore, look at yourself, so that you too do not soon become the same, for you are also of the same nature. As soon as we see something sorrowful in another brother, we will see ourselves in him, as in a mirror; because we do not know what the day will bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). Our body is filled with great sorrow and illness. Knowing the weakness of our nature, let us not be proud and uncompassionate, but with mutual compassion we will appease the Creator, Who can make us sick, and then heal, bring us down to hell, and then raise us out of hell. If our body enjoys its health for a short time, then we don’t know what the next day will give birth to. 62. Do not be arrogant over someone who has sinned, do not encourage someone who has not sinned to sin—both are harmful and dangerous. If you want to make yourself useful, then show yourself to both others an example of good deeds, shedding streams of tears before the Lord, so that the Lord will raise up the fallen and the standing will not be caught in sin. For “there is one Lawmaker and Judge, able to save and destroy” (James 4:12). 63. Do not disturb the gatherings of ascetic men who sing to the Lord, being carried away by arrogant thoughts, lest the wrath of God strike you. Sinning against God is difficult and unforgivable. We obey the prophecies of the prophet; For God has no disorder, but peace” (1 Cor. 14:32–33). 64. If you are young, get used to silence and activity. Activity will make you unburdensome (for others), and silence will preserve the unquenchable light of your soul, not allowing it to be eclipsed by vice. 65. In every place and in every business, no matter what you do, let humility be with you. For just as the body has a need for clothing, both when it is warm and when it is cold, so the soul has a constant need to clothe itself with humility. Humility is a wonderful and excellent acquisition, everyone who has unashamedly bore its yoke knows this. It is better to walk naked and barefoot than to be naked from humility, because the Lord Himself covers those who love him. 66. Just as it is impossible for swimmers to stay on a ship forever, and for a traveler staying in an inn not to leave it, so it is impossible for us to remain in this life forever. As they are called - a traveler or a swimmer, so we are here - wanderers and strangers. Therefore, looking at everything with the eye of our minds, let us prepare for the departure from our lives. 67. When you see yourself adorned and exalted with virtues, then you need a lot of humility so that, with the foundations preserved intact, everything created on them remains unshakable and indestructible. Only in this case will your fetus be completely safe. 68. “If you dig a hole for the sincere, he will fall into shame” (Proverbs 26:27). And whoever sets a snare for his teacher is wicked and lawless, and therefore will be condemned along with the one who betrayed his Benefactor and Teacher into the hands of the lawless. 69. It is not hair or clothing that makes a person worldly, but a bad disposition and an inclination towards worldly and impure desires: they make the soul vile. 70. It is not tonsure or clothing that makes a monk, but heavenly desire and divine living, for in this the perfection of life is revealed. 71. Do not exalt yourself before temptation, because the temptation that befalls often shames those who apparently stood firm. 72. I think that before temptation you do not know about yourself what your strengths are, therefore you need to bring your mind to safety from enemy attacks and stay awake. 73. Just as fire in a smelter tests gold and silver, so in adversity the souls of mortals who have the Lord as an assistant are tested. 74. Let us not be afraid of temptations, but let us boldly strive (strive) for the honor of the high calling in Christ. The Lord crowns all those who love Him. 75. If you cover your members so that no one sees them naked, then beware of looking at the nakedness of another, except in need and illness, so that no indecent images are imprinted on your mind. 76. If, while fulfilling housekeeping, you anoint a sick person with oil, then guard your eye, hands and tongue, so as not to transgress the limits of chastity in anything, for this is appropriate (in accordance with) piety. 77. Lay your hands on the members of another with trepidation, as if touching the shrine itself. And indeed, the church of the Lord is holy, marvelous in truth, for it is said: “Do you not know that you are the church of God, and the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone corrupts God’s church, God will corrupt him: for the church of God is holy, just as you are” (1 Cor. 3:16–17). So, knowing this, “guard your heart with all care” (Proverbs 4:23). 78. Beware of having a bad attachment to a young man, because many have corrupted themselves, become vile and become extremely vain. 79. When you go to bed, do not cover yourself more than necessary. Pleasure can naturally inflame the body and ignite the embers of voluptuousness more strongly. 80. He who sleeps in gilded palaces, on ivory beds and lined with expensive stones, pleases (often praises) those who lead life in labor, although he himself does not dare to imitate them. 81. Do everything this way and think about everything this way to please God. If you do not have such a thought, then everything you do will lose its value. 82. Love your labors in this short time (of life), so that you may rest for whole centuries. You yourself will go there, but your work will remain here on earth. 83. If you were a worker, then do not grieve about the approach of your good emigration: he who returns home with wealth never remains in sorrow. 84. Do not tempt your neighbor out of love of money, lest you take on sin for him, but meditate on what is written: “Do not be wise about yourself” (Rom. 12:16); “The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9). 85. “Do not let your hand be stretched out to take” (Sir.4:35), but rather let it be stretched out for alms. 86. Be patient, so that you may become strong in prudence. Longsuffering is a wonderful gift because it drives out hot temper, anger and contempt, and brings the soul to a peaceful state. 87. If you served in a military rank, whose glory is temporary, falling away like a flower on the grass, and renounced that dreamy glory, then love your work to the end, so that God will not be blasphemed for you when the infidels say: “And God did not save him!” – But, as the Lord said: “Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Those who serve in the army of the earthly king, if they do not show experience of their courage against their enemies, do not receive the most excellent gifts from the king, and when they do everything, their salaries are not great. But what can we say about them? - This is vanity and pleasure for the belly. Those who have shown their valor against evil spirits are counted among the Heavenly Kingdom, their joy has no end, because they will be like Angels in heaven. 88. If you stay in a community or are silent, secluded from everyone, then do not neglect what you seek, that is, a pure heart and a contrite spirit. Whoever has acquired this will not be humiliated by God; neglecting this is a great danger. 89. Do not boast, boasting of eloquence, but rather proclaim the effective teaching of simple and unlearned people, so that you may become a disciple of the Apostles of the Lord. It is forbidden to boast of external wisdom, especially for Christians. “Let him boast in the Lord” (2 Cor. 10:17). 90. “Do not boast in your garments” (Sir.11:4), remembering the mantle of Elijah and the sackcloth of Isaiah, as it is written: “Go, and tear off the sackcloth from your loins, and cut off your sandals from off your feet” (Is.20:2). Don’t forget the robe of the Baptist. Do not draw attention to yourself with the pomp of your clothing, but let your light shine before everyone in good deeds, so that the Lord may be glorified. 91. When discussing faith, see whether you are doing deeds of faith. And if you only love to talk and listen, then what is written will be told to you: “Do you want to understand, concerning the vanity of man, that faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). For all those who, in the words of the Apostle, are truly dead are those who, in the words of the Apostle, “confess to know God, but put His works aside; they are abominations and disobedient, and unskillful in every good work” (Titus 1:16). Therefore, have a humble way of thinking, so that, having exalted yourself in height, you will not be broken in a terrible fall. Beg God every day, crying out to Him: “Put, O Lord, a guard over my mouth, and a door of protection over my mouth; do not turn my heart into words of wickedness; do not bear the guilt of sins with men who practice iniquity” (Ps. 140:3-4). For “the tongue is small, but it boasts great” (James 3:5). 92. The confiscation of property, instruments of execution, threats of death shook many. Some received crowns through this, while others, due to love of money, turned out to be traitors. Some, out of vanity, neglected the truth, while others, through the passion of voluptuousness, fell into lawlessness. And only those who defeated “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14) had the Lord within them, because our victory is the Lord. Therefore, when you succeed in good deeds, do not be arrogant; Condemning yourself in many ways, do not despair of your salvation. Blessed is the one who not only started well, but also finished blamelessly. Let us not indulge in idleness throughout the whole day, but let us begin to work well, at least “for one ten hour,” so that we too may be deemed worthy to accept the penalty from the hand of the Lord (Matthew 20:6, 9). 93. If you have a disciple with you, and he, through negligence and his own inattention, comes out from under the yoke of piety, then do not be surprised and do not let despondency disturb your mind for a long time, so as not to crush yourself and leave him without benefit - but bring to your mind the servant of the prophet Elisha. If he fell into great vice, then consider that (really) the apostle also became a traitor? But who would be so ill-intentioned and evil as to attribute the cause of the fall to the teacher, and not to the bad will of the student? God created man free, which is why honors and punishments are intended for him. Namely, those who labor well will receive honors and crowns, and those who are criminals and careless will receive punishment and torment. For there is “sin leading to death,” and death is prepared for himself by those who remain stuck in vice and do not move on from forbidden deeds to a better life. 94. When you notice that reading the Divine Scriptures has become boring for you and you are reluctant to listen to spiritual instructions, then know that your soul has fallen into a serious illness. For this is the beginning of evil, those who suffered from it reaped the fruit of death. 95. Those engaged in the art of blacksmithing do not run from the ashes, nor from the sound of a hammer, nor from the bubbling fire, but, taking a piece of iron, with diligence and patience, they make useful vessels from it. Therefore, we will not lose courage when making mutual promises to each other, so that we can develop an honest one from the unworthy, worthy of this name and supernatural glory. For it is written: “If you bring forth honor from the unworthy, as My mouth will become” (Jer. 15:19); “And blessed is he who has a tribe in Zion, and yuzhiki” (relatives, fellow tribesmen) “in Jerusalem” (Is. 31:9). 96. Irrigate your soul with divine waters, so that it may flourish and bear fruit in righteousness. We also need to strive for spiritual benefit, just as animals living on land run to green pastures. When the soul is healthy, then the body has strength for good works. And if the soul is lost in bad thoughts, then the body must also be corrupted by vice. Therefore, blessed is he who in this world makes good (correct) use of the things of life, for he departs rich into an ageless life, which may God grant us all through the prayers of all those who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen. You might be interested in: