Cyprian of Carthage, On Jealousy and Envy

III. Quamobrem, fratres dilectissimi, contra omnes diaboli fallaces insidias vel apertas minas stare debet instructus animus et armatus, tam paratus s

IV. Hinc diabolus inter initia statim mundi et periit 0640C primus et perdidit. Ille angelica majestate subnixus , 0641A Invidia autem diaboli mors in

0641B V. Hinc denique novae fraternitatis prima odia, hinc parricidia nefanda coeperunt (Gen. IV), dum Abel justum Cain zelat injustus, dum bonum malu

VI. Quae nos considerantes , fratres dilectissimi, contra tantam mali perniciem vigilanter et fortiter dicata Deo pectora muniamus. Aliorum mors profi

VII. Qualis vero est animae tinea, quae cogitationum tabes, pectoris quanta rubigo, zelare in altero vel virtutem ejus vel felicitatem, id est odisse

VIII. Hinc vultus minax, torvus aspectus, pallor in facie, in labiis tremor, stridor in dentibus, verba rabida, effraenata convicia, manus ad caedis v

IX. Multo malum levius et periculum minus est cum membra gladio vulnerantur. Facilis cura est ubi plaga perspicua est, et cito ad sanitatem medela sub

X. Et idcirco, fratres dilectissimi, huic periculo consulens Dominus, ne quis zelo fratris in laqueum mortis 0645B incurreret, cum eum discipuli inter

XI. Quid in zeli tenebras ruis? quid te nubilo livoris involvis? quid invidiae caecitate omne pacis et charitatis lumen extinguis? quid ad diabolum cu

XII. Meminisse debemus quo vocabulo plebem suam Christus appellet, quo titulo gregem suum nuncupet. Oves nominat, ut innocentia christiana ovibus aequ

XIII. Ideo et apostolus Paulus, cum pacis et charitatis merita depromeret, cumque asseveraret firmiter et doceret nec fidem sibi, nec eleemosynas, nec

0647B XIV. Obterenda sunt, fratres dilectissimi, vitia et peccata carnalia, et terreni corporis infesta labes spiritali vigore calcanda, ne, dum iteru

XV. Hoc est enim mutasse quod fueras et coepisse esse quod non eras, ut in te divina nativitas luceat, 0648B ut ad Patrem Deum deifica disciplina resp

XVI. His meditationibus corroborandus est animus, fratres dilectissimi, ejusmodi exercitationibus contra omnia diaboli jacula firmandus. Sit in manibu

XVII. Ad quas ut pervenire tu etiam possis, qui fueras zelo et livore possessus, omnem illam malitiam qua prius tenebaris abjice , ad viam vitae aeter

XVIII. Habes autem multa quae cogites. Paradisum cogita, quo Cain non ingreditur, qui zelo fratrem peremit (Gen., IV). Cogita coeleste regnum, ad quod

2. He goeth about every one of us; and even as an enemy besieging those who are shut up (in a city), he examines the walls, and tries whether there is any part of the walls2 According to some, “of our members.” less firm and less trustworthy, by entrance through which he may penetrate to the inside. He presents to the eyes seductive forms and easy pleasures, that he may destroy chastity by the sight. He tempts the ears with harmonious music, that by the hearing of sweet sounds he may relax and enervate Christian vigour.3 [The nude in art, the music of the opera, and sensual luxury of all sorts, are here condemned. And compare Clem. Alex., vol. ii. p. 249, note 11, this series.] He provokes the tongue by reproaches; he instigates the hand by exasperating wrongs to the wrecklessness of murder; to make the cheat, he presents dishonest gains; to take captive the soul by money, he heaps together mischievous hoards; he promises earthly honours, that he may deprive of heavenly ones; he makes a show of false things, that he may steal away the true; and when he cannot hiddenly deceive, he threatens plainly and openly, holding forth the fear of turbulent persecution to vanquish God’s servants—always restless, and always hostile, crafty in peace, and fierce in persecution.

II. Circuit ille nos singulos, et tamquam hostis clausos obsidens, muros explorat, et tentat an sit pars aliqua murorum minus stabilis et minus fida, cujus aditu ad interiora penetretur. Offert oculis formas illices et faciles voluptates , ut visu destruat castitatem. Aures per canora musica tentat, ut soni dulcioris auditu solvat et molliat christianum vigorem. Linguam convicio provocat, manum injuriis 0639C lacessentibus ad petulantiam caedis instigat; ut 0640A fraudatorem faciat, lucra opponit injusta; ut animam pecunia capiat , ingerit perniciosa compendia; honores terrenos promittit, ut coelestes adimat; ostentat falsa, ut vera subripiat: et cum latenter non potest fallere, exerte atque aperte minatur, terrorem turbidae persecutionis intentans, ad debellandos Dei servos inquietus semper et semper infestus, in pace subdolus, in persecutione violentus.