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Translated by Bl. Jackson.
St Basil the Great Resources Online and in Print
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This Part: 128 Pages
Page 34
2. The Christian ought never to murmur [1944] either in scarcity of necessities, or in toil or labour, for the responsibility in these matters lies with such as have authority in them. There never ought to be any clamour, or any behaviour or agitation by which anger is expressed, [1945] or diversion of mind from the full assurance of the presence of God. [1946]
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.
[1944] cf. 1 Cor. x. 10.
[1945] cf. Eph. iv. 31.
[1946] cf. Heb. iv. 13.
[1947] cf. Tit. iii. 2.
[1948] Phil. iv. 5, to epieikes. In 1 Tim. iii. 3, "patient" is epieikes.
[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.
Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/basil/letters.asp?pg=34
