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Shorter Rules
St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925
Rule 28: If a Man Answers Another in a Violent Tone and Words and When Reminded of It…
Not all diseases of the soul are apparent to all, or to the patient himself, any more than are those of the body. So just as in the case of the body skilled men have certain signs by which they recognise diseases which are hidden and escape the perception of the patient, so also in the case of the soul, if the sinner does not perceive his own disease, he must believe the Lord, Who has assured both him and his fellows that the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out evil things.”1 For the bad man often makes a show of good words or deeds, but it is impossible for the good man to make a show of evil. As Scripture says, Take thought for things honourable”’ not only before the Lord, but before men.’2
Notes
- Mt. xii. 35 add τῆς καρδίας αὐτοῦ, προφέρει for ἐκβάλλει.
- Rom. xii. 17.