Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

The voice should be modulated; no one ought to answer another, or do anything, roughly
or contemptuously, 1947 but in all things moderation 1948 and respect should be shewn to
every one. 1949 No wily glances of the eye are to be allowed, nor any behaviour or gestures
which grieve a brother and shew contempt. 1950 Any display in cloak or shoes is to be
avoided; it is idle ostentation. 1951 Cheap things ought to be used for bodily necessity; and
nothing ought to be spent beyond what is necessary, or for mere extravagance; this is a
misuse of our property. The Christian ought not to seek for honour, or claim precedence. 1952
Every one ought to put all others before himself. 1953 The Christian ought not to be unruly.
1954 He who is able to work ought not to eat the bread of idleness, 1955 but even he who
is busied in deeds well done for the glory of Christ ought to force himself to the active discharge
of such work as he can do. 1956 Every Christian, with the approval of his superiors,
ought so to do everything with reason and assurance, even down to actual eating and
drinking, as done to the glory of God. 1957 The Christian ought not to change over from
one work to another without the approval of those who are appointed for the arrangement
of such matters; unless some unavoidable necessity suddenly summon any one to the relief
of the helpless. Every one ought to remain in his appointed post, not to go beyond his own
bounds and intrude into what is not commanded him, unless the responsible authorities
judge any one to be in need of aid. No one ought to be found going from one workshop to
another. Nothing ought to be done in rivalry or strife with any one.
3. The Christian ought not to grudge another’s reputation, nor rejoice over any man’s
faults; 1958 he ought in Christ’s love to grieve and be afflicted at his brother’s faults, and rejoice
over his brother’s good deeds. 1959 He ought not to be indifferent or silent before sinners. 1960
He who shows another to be wrong ought to do so with all tenderness, 1961 in the fear of
1947 cf. Tit. iii. 2.
1948 Phil. iv. 5, τὸ ἐπιεικές. In 1 Tim. iii. 3, “patient” is ἐπιεικής.
1949 Rom. xii. 10 and 1 Pet. ii. 17.
1950 Rom. xiv. 10.
1951 Matt. vi. 29, Luke xii. 27.
1952 Mark ix. 37.
1953 Phil. ii. 3.
1954 Tit. i. 10.
1955 2 Thess. iii. 10.
1956 1 Thess. iv. 11.
1957 1 Cor. x. 31.
1958 1 Cor. xiii. 6.
1959 1 Cor. xii. 26.
1960 1 Tim. v. 20.
1961 2 Tim. iv. 2.
Without address. On the Perfection of the Life of Solitaries.
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