The Sayings of the Elders (Verba seniorum, Book VII)
On avoiding contention
De contentione vitanda.
This book is not translated in the edition used; the Latin is given alone.
Quidam senex dixit: Si quis tecum aut de Scripturis, aut de quacunque causa locutus fuerit, ne contendas cum eo: sed si quidem bene dicit, consenti ei: si vero male, dic illi: Tu scis quomodo loquaris. Ait Apostolus: Noli contendere verbis. Hæc observans, et humilitatem possidebis, et odium vitabis. Nam si persistas contendens, et vis defendere sermonem tuum, nascitur inde scandalum. Frequenter ergo dum laudas alterum, fit etiam ex justificatione contentio. De quacunque autem re, si graviter contenderis, non parvam noxietatem senties, et nullo modo requiem possidebis. Magis stude custodire silentium, et de nullo esse sollicitus. Attende meditationi tuæ, cum timore Dei exsurgens tam mane quam vespere, et impetum inimicorum non timebis.
Latin text: Verba seniorum, Book VII of the Vitae Patrum, translated from the Greek by Paschasius of Dumium for Abbot Martin (Martin of Braga), in H. Rosweyde’s edition as reprinted in Migne’s Patrologia Latina, vol. 73 (1879 reprint), cols. 1025–1062, checked against the scans; without the editor’s notes and cross-references, and without the Greek text of chapter XLIV printed in the notes. Public-domain text in France (art. L123-1 of the French Intellectual Property Code). Transcription and revision: Abbatia Sancti Petri de Curte. Report an error