LXXII.—To the Poor in Health.

What can healthful poverty do, unless wealth be present?  Assuredly, if thou hast the means, at once communicate also to thy brother.  Be responsible to thyself for one, lest thou shouldst be said to be proud.  I promise that thou shalt live more secure than the rich man.  Receive into thy ears the teaching of the great Solomon:  God hates the poor man to be a pleader on high.19    [Prov. xxiii. 11.]  Therefore submit thyself, and give honour to Him that is powerful; for the soft speech—thou knowest the proverb—melts.20    [Prov. xv. 1.]  One is conquered by service, even although there be an ancient anger.  If the tongue be silent, thou hast found nothing better.  If there should not wholesomely be an art whereby life may be governed, either give aid or direction by the command of Him that is mighty.  Let it not shame or grieve you that a healthy man should have faith.  In the treasury, besides, thou oughtest to give of thy labour, even as that widow whom the Anointed One preferred.21    [Mark xii. 42; Luke xxi. 2.]

LXXII.---PAUPERIBUS SANIS.

0255B Pauperies sana quid, nisi divitiae adsint? Ars certe si fuerit, jam et tu communica fratri. Unum praesta tibi, ne superbus esse dicaris. Polliceor, quoniam securior divite vivis: Excipe doctrinam magni Salomonis in aures. Responsorem in alto odit Deus pauperem esse: Idcirco te subde, et honorem redde potenti. 0256A Blandus enim sermo, proverbium nosti, deriget. Vincitur officio etsi fuerit ira vetusta. Si lingua taceat, nil melius invenisti. Sane si non fuerit ars unde vita regatur, Aut operam praebe, aut cursum, jussu potentis: Non pudeat neque pigeat procurrere sanum. In gazo praeterea de labore mittere debes; Sicut singularis illa, quam praetulit unctus.