The Sayings of the Elders (Verba seniorum, Book VII)
Against anger, and on the origin of anger
Contra iram, et de origine iræ.
Dixit quidam ex sanctis Patribus: Ira per hos quatuor actus exsurgit, propter cupiditatem avaritiæ dandi et accipiendi, resque alienas rapiendi, et si quis propriam sententiam amans defendit; et si quis se vult honoribus esse dignum; et si quis doctorem se esse vult, plus omnibus sapientem se esse sperans. Ira etiam per hæc quatuor humanos sensus obscurat, si odio habuerit homo proximum suum, aut si pro nihilo habuerit, aut si inviderit illi, aut si detractaverit de eo. Ad hoc sanctum Joannem evangelistam ostendam auctorem: Qui odit, inquit, fratrem suum, in tenebris est, et nescit quo eat, et manet in morte. Passionis autem hujus retributio quatuor modos habet: primum ex corde, secundum ex facie, tertium ex lingua, quartum ex facto. Si quis ergo potuerit ita portare malum, ut non ingrediatur in corde, non pervenit usque ad faciem. Si autem venerit in faciem, custodiat linguam suam, ne loquatur illud. Quod si locutus fuerit, vel hoc custodiat, ne reddat in facto, sed mox abscidat a corde. Tres enim gradus sunt hominum in passione iræ. Nam qui nulli voluntarie nocet, et resistentibus non injuriatur, et parcit proximo suo, hic secundum Christi naturam est. Qui autem nec alium lædit, neque se lædi vult, hic secundum Adam est. Qui vero aliis nocet, aut injuriatur, aut calumnias ingerit, aut usuras exigit, hic secundum diabolum est.
— omitted in this translation —
Quidam fratres venientes ad abbatem Antonium, postulabant ab eo audire sermonem per quam salvarentur. Quibus ille ait: Scripturas audivistis, et scitis quæ vobis a Christo sufficiant. At illi, ut ipse quoque aliquid eis dicere dignaretur, instabant. Tunc dicit eis: Evangelium dicit: Si quis te percusserit in maxillam dexteram, præbe illi et alteram. At illi se facere hoc non posse dixerunt. Respondit senex: Præbere alteram non potestis? vel in illam iterum, si voluerit, ferire sustinete. Sed cum neque hoc se posse facere testarentur, dicit eis senex: Ergo si hoc non potestis, ne reddatis malum pro eo quod accepistis. Et cum idem verbum, quod superius dixerant, repeterent, dixit abbas Antonius discipulo suo: Vade, fac illis escas, ut comedant, vides enim quod valde infirmi sunt. Et ait ad illos: Si enim hoc non potestis, et alterum non vultis, quid a me requiritis? ut video, necessaria est vobis oratio, per quam infirmitas vestra sanetur.
Certain brethren once came to Saint Antony and besought him to speak to them some word through which they might attain unto the perfection of salvation. He, however, said to them, “Ye have heard the Scriptures. The words which have come from the lips of Christ for your learning are sufficient for you.” When they still pressed him, begging that he would deign to speak some word to them, he said, “It is taught in the gospel that if a man smite you on the one cheek you are to turn to him the other also.” They then confessed that they were not able to do this. St. Antony answered, “Is this too hard for you? Are you willing to let such a man strike you on the same cheek twice?” They said, “We are not willing,” hoping to be told of some easier thing. But he said to them, “If this, too, is beyond you, at least do not render evil for evil.” Again they answered him as they had done before. Then St. Antony turned to his disciple who stood by, and said, “Prepare some food and give it to these men, for they are weak.” But to the brethren who had inquired of him, he said, “If you cannot do one thing and will not do another, why do you come seeking a word of exhortation from me? To me it seems that what you need most is to pray. By prayer perhaps you may be healed of your infirmity.”
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. · English translation by James O. Hannay († 1950), The Wisdom of the Desert, London, Methuen, 1904 — a selection: he translates fourteen sayings of this book; the others, the prologue and the chapter titles are given in Latin only. His captions are not reproduced. One sentence he added (VII.25.4) is not reproduced; his linking sentence in VII.42.4 is kept because the next sentence depends on it. Collated with the 1904 print. 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