Глава I. О познании

There is nothing more valuable than knowledge, for knowledge is the light of the rational soul. On the contrary, ignorance is darkness. Just as the deprivation of light is darkness, so the lack of knowledge is darkness of the mind. Ignorance is characteristic of irrational beings, and knowledge is characteristic of rational beings. Therefore, whoever, being by nature capable of knowledge and knowledge (επιστημονικῷ), does not have it, although he is by nature intelligent, nevertheless, due to negligence and weakness of the soul, he is worse than the unreasonable. As for knowledge, by it I mean true knowledge of things, for knowledge concerns things. False knowledge, which is, as it were, knowledge of something that does not exist, is more ignorance than knowledge, for a lie is nothing other than something that does not exist. Since we do not live by one soul, but our soul, as if hidden by a veil - flesh, has the likeness of an eye - a seeing and knowing mind, perceiving knowledge and knowledge of things, and it does not have this knowledge and knowledge from the very beginning, but needs a teacher, then let us proceed to the unfalse teacher - “truth”. Christ is hypostatic wisdom and truth, “in Him are all the hidden treasures of the mind,” Who is God and the Father’s wisdom and power. Therefore, let us listen to His voice speaking to us through the Holy Scriptures, and learn the true knowledge of all things. As we begin, let us approach diligently and with a pure heart, not allowing passions to dull the mental eye of our soul. For hardly anyone will be able to clearly contemplate the truth even with the purest and clearest eye. “Even if there is light” that is in us, i.e. our mind, “darkness, then how much darkness”? Let us approach with all our soul and all our thoughts. For just as it is impossible for the eye, which is often transferred from one object to another and turns here and there, to clearly contemplate what is visible, but it is necessary that the eye closely observe the object to be examined, so we, having renounced all excitement of the mind, will immaculately (αυλώς) approach the truth. And when we approach and reach the gates, we will not limit ourselves to this, but will knock loudly, so that when the doors of peace open for us, we will see its inner beauty. So scripture is the gate; the peace that is behind the gate signifies the beauty of thoughts hidden in the scripture, i.e. Spirit of truth. Let's knock loudly, i.e. Let's read once, twice, read often, and so going deeper, we will find a treasure of knowledge and we will abound in wealth. We will search, explore, look out, ask. “Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds, and it is opened to him who asks.” And also: “Ask your father and he will tell you, and your elders” in knowledge “and they will tell you.” Therefore, if we are inquisitive, we will know a lot; for everything is achieved through diligence and labor, and also - and this is first of all and after all - by the grace of the giving God. On the other hand, since the apostle says: “Take care of all that is good,” let us also examine the teachings of the pagan sages. Maybe we will find something useful from them and acquire something useful for our souls, for every artist needs some tools to accomplish what he creates. And it is common for a queen to use the services of maids. Therefore, we will borrow such teachings as are servants of the truth, but we will reject the wickedness that cruelly possessed them, and we will not use bad things that are good, and we will not use the art of evidence to deceive the simple. Although the truth does not need various proofs, we will nevertheless use them to refute dishonest opponents and false knowledge. We will begin with this, as with the letters, precisely with what is appropriate for those who still need milk, calling as our leader Christ, the hypostatic Word of God, by whom “every good gift is given and every gift is perfect.” Those who will read this book should direct their minds to the blissful goal of ascending through the senses to Him (προσ τον), Who is above feeling and perception. Who is the Author of everything, the Creator and Organizer. For “from the beauty of his creations the creator of them is known comparatively” and “the essence of Him, invisible from the creation of the world, was conceived by the creatures and is visible.” Therefore, we achieve what we want by striving for knowledge with an unconceited and humble mind. For you cannot believe in Me, Christ the Truth said, “receiving glory” from people. And also: “everyone who exalts himself will humble himself, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” You might be interested in: