Anything a Fool says is Rubbish
Jerome said:
‘Stupid and tasteless words are not fitting for Christians. Their speech should always be in good taste so as to sound pleasing to the ears of other people. ‘Anything a fool says is rubbish, just an empty din.’
Gregory said:
‘Just as the ear does not understand food nor the throat take in words, so the fool does not comprehend the conversation of the wise.’
Isidore said:
‘Nothing is worse than folly, nothing more reprehensible than stupidity, nothing more shameful than Ignorance.
‘Ignorance is the nurse of the vices, for it does not realize what deserves blame and what does not. The ignorant are easily led astray, and little time passes before the fool falls into vice.’
Defensor Grammaticus
Book of Sparkling Sayings, 24 (SC77, pp.336ff.)
The Attainment of Perfect Freedom
What are the external objects which rouse the passions in us? Chiefly the opposite sex, material possessions and fame. To avoid being overwhelmed by these passions, there are certain steps we can take.
As far as the opposite sex is concerned, it is enough to gain control of our own bodies by mortification. With respect to material possessions we must make a resolution to be content with the bare necessities. With regard to fame, let us try to experience the beauty of practising virtue in secret, seen only by God.
Anyone who behaves in this fashion will not despise anything that exists on the face of the earth.
At times it happens that someone who has not these conditions before his eyes is not disturbed by the passions and enjoys a partial freedom. Yet the moment a person of the opposite sex or wealth or fame crosses his path, the passions tear his spirit to pieces.
Do not delude yourself into thinking that you have perfect freedom of spirit if there is no external object disturbing you. Only if you remain untroubled at the appearance of such an object, only then have you attained perfect freedom.
Maximus the Confessor
Centuries on Charity, 4, 49ff. (SC9, pp.162ff.)
~ Thomas Spidlik, Drinking from the Hidden Fountain, A Patristic Breviary: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World
