Sentences of Sextus - Sentences of Sextus

157

[...] is a sign of ignorance.

158/159

Love the truth, and the lie use like poison.

160

May the right time precede your words.

161/162

Speak when it is not proper to be silent, but speak concerning the things you know (only) then when it is fitting.

163a

The untimely word is characteristic of an evil mind.

163b

When it is proper to act, do not use a word.

164a

Do not wish to speak first in the midst of a crowd.

164b

While it is a skill to speak, it is also a skill to be silent.

165a

It is better for you to be defeated while speaking the truth, than to be victorious through deceit.

165b

He who is victorious through deceit is defeated by the truth.

165c

Untrue words are a characteristic of evil persons.

165d

There has to be a great crisis before the lie is necessary.

165e

When there is someone, while you speak the truth, even if you lie there is no sin.

165f

Do not deceive anyone, especially him who needs advice.

166

Faithful is he who is first with all good works.

167

Wisdom leads the soul to the place of God.

168

There is no kinsman of the truth except wisdom.

169

It is not possible for a believing nature to become fond of lying.

170

A fearful and slavish nature will not be able to partake in faith.

171a

When you are faithful, what it is fitting to say is not of greater value than the hearing.

171b

When you are with believing persons, desire to listen rather than to speak.

172

A pleasure-loving man is useless in everything.

173

When there is no (accounting of) sin, do not speak in anything (which is) from God.

174

The sins of those who are ignorant are the shame of those who have taught them.

175

Those on account of whom the name of God is blasphemed are dead before God.

176

A wise man is a doer of good works after God.

177

May your life confirm your words before those who hear.

178

What it is not right to do, do not even consider doing it.

179

What you do not want to happen to you, do not do it yourself either.

180

What it is shameful to do, is also ...

None

(pp. 17-26 are missing)

307/308

He is a wise man who commends God to men, and God thinks more highly of the wise man than his own works.

309

After God, no one is as free as the wise man.

310

Everything God possesses, the wise man has also.

311/312

The wise man shares in the kingdom of God; an evil man does not want the foreknowledge of God to come to pass.

313

An evil soul flees from God.

314

Everything bad is the enemy of God.

315

What thinks in you, say with your mind that it is man.

316

Where your thought is, there is your goodness.

317

Do not seek goodness in flesh.

318

He who does not harm the soul neither does (so) to man.

319

After God, honor a wise man, since he is the servant of God.

320

To make the body of your soul a burden is pride, but to be able to restrain it gently when it is necessary, is blessedness.

321

Do not become guilty of your own death. Do not be angry at him who will take you out of (the) body and kill you.

322

If someone brings the wise man out of the body wickedly, he rather does what is good for him, for he has been released from bonds.

323

The fear of death grieves man because of the ignorance of the soul.

324

for you had the man-killing sword not come into being; but when it comes, say with your mind that it does not exist.

325/326a

Someone who says "I believe," even if he spends a long time pretending, he will not prevail, but he will fall; as your heart is, (so) will be your life.

326b

A godly heart produces a blessed life.

327

He who will plot evil against another, he is the first [...].

328

Let not an ungrateful man cause you to cease to do good.

329

Do not say with your mind that these things which were asked, (and) you gave immediately, are more valuable than the receiver.

330

You will use great property, if you give to the needy willingly.

331

Persuade a senseless brother not to be senseless; if he is mad, protect him.

332/334

Strive eagerly to be victorious over every man in prudence; maintain self-sufficiency.

333

You cannot receive understanding unless you know first that you possess <it>. In everything there is again this sentence.

335

The members of the body are a burden to those who do not use them.

336

It is better to serve others than to make others serve you.

337

He whom God will not bring out of (the) body, let him not burden himself.

338

Not only do not hold an opinion which does not benefit the needy, but also do not listen to it.

339

He who gives something without respect commits an outrage. [...].

340

If you take on the guardianship of orphans, you will be the father of many children (and) you will be beloved of God.

341

He whom you serve because of honor, you have served for a wage.

342

If you have given that which honors you ..., you have given not to man, but you have given for your own pleasure.

343/344

Do not provoke the anger of a mob. Know, then, what is fitting for the fortunate man to do.

345

It is better to die than to darken the soul because of the immoderation of the belly.

346

Say with your mind that the body is the garment of your soul: keep it, therefore, pure since it is innocent.

347

Whatever the soul will do while it is in (the) body, it has as witnesses when it goes into judgment.

348/349

Unclean demons do lay claim to a polluted soul; a faithful (and) good soul, evil demons will not be able to hinder in the way of God.

350

Do not give the word of God to everyone.

351

For those who are corrupted by glory it is not assuring to hear about God.

352/353

It is not a small danger for us to speak the truth about God; do not say anything about God before you have learned from God.

354/356

Do not speak with a godless person about God; if you are polluted on account of impure works, do not speak about God.

357

The true word about God is the word of God.

355

Speak concerning the word about God as if you were saying it in the presence of God.

358

If first your mind is persuaded that you have been god-loving, then speak to whomever you wish about God.

359

May your pious works precede every word about God.

360

Do not wish to speak with a crowd about God.

361

Be (more) sparing with a word about God (than) about a soul.

362

It is better to dispose of a soul than to discard at random a word about God.

363a

You conceive the body of a god-loving man, but you will not be able to rule over his speech.

363b

The lion also rules over the body of the wise man; also the tyrant rules over it alone.

364

If a tyrant threatens you, then, especially, remember God.

365

He who speaks the word of God to those for whom it is not lawful, he is the betrayer of God.

366

It is better for you to be silent about the word of God, than to speak recklessly.

367/368

He who speaks lies about God is lying to God; a man who does not have anything truthful to say about God is abandoned by God.

369

It is not possible for you to know God when you do not worship him.

370

A man who does evil to someone will not be able to worship God.

371

The love of man is the beginning of godliness.

372

He who takes care of men while praying for all of them - this is the truth of God.

373/374

It is God`s business to save whom he wants; on the other hand, it is the business of the pious man to beseech God to save everyone.

375

When you pray for something and it happens to you through God, then say with your mind that you have [...].

376a

A man who is worthy of God, he is God among men, and he is the son of God.

376b

Both the great one exists and he who is next to the great one exists.

377/378

It is better for man to be without anything than to have many things while not giving to the needy; so also you, if you pray to God, he will not give to you.

379

If you, from your whole heart, give your bread to the hungry, the gift is small, but the willingness is great with God.

380

He who thinks that no one is in the presence of God, he is not humble towards God.

381

He who makes his mind like unto God as far as he is able, he is the one who honors God greatly.

382

God does not need anything, but he rejoices over those who give to the needy.

383

The faithful do not speak many words, but their works are numerous.

384

It is a faithful person fond of learning who is the worker of the truth.

385

Adjust [...] the calamities, in order that [...].

386

If you do not do evil to anyone, you will not be afraid of anyone.

387

The tyrant will not be able to take away happiness.

388

What is right to do, do it willingly.

389a

What is not right to do, do not do it in any way.

389b

Promise everything rather than to say "I am wise".

390

What you do well, say with your mind that it is God who does it.

391

No man who <looks> down upon the earth and upon tables is wise.

392

The philosopher who is an outer body, he is not the one to whom it is fitting to pay respect, but (the) philosopher according to the inner man.

393

Guard yourself from lying; there is he who deceives and there is he who is deceived.

394/395

Know who God is, and know who is the one who thinks in you; a good man is the good work of God.

396

They are miserable because of whom the word is blasphemed.

397

Death will not be able to destroy [...].