Слово 76. О молчании и безмолвии

A person always remains silent and maintains silence for the following three reasons: either for the sake of human glory, or because of ardent jealousy for virtue, or because a person has some kind of divine conversation within himself and his mind is drawn to it. Therefore, if someone does not have one of the last causes, then of necessity he suffers from the first illness 610. Virtue is not a manifestation of many and various deeds performed bodily, but a wise heart in its hope, because it is united 611 with deeds according to God by a right mind. The mind can do good without bodily deeds; and the body, without heartfelt wisdom, even if it does something, cannot benefit from it. However, a man of God, when he finds it convenient to do a good deed, will not resist, so as not to prove his love for God by the work of his doing. The first rank 612 is always on time, the second 613 is often on time, and sometimes not. Do not think that it is of little importance for a person to always be far from the causes that excite passions. Glory to our God forever and ever! Amen. Love of human glory. You might be interested in: