三 人的内心越统一、越纯洁,他就能够越不费力地明白更多和更高深的事,因为他能从上头接受智慧之光(太 11:25; 路 10:21 )。一个具有清洁、单纯、而且稳定的心的人,是不会从事许多工作而感到烦扰,因为他工作是为着荣耀上帝;他的内心平静、悠闲,因为他不是为自己而做什么事。谁能妨碍和烦扰你,比你自己内心的没有压制的欲望更利害呢?一个良善而敬畏上帝的人对于应该做的事,总是预先在心里计划妥当,然后才行出来。他做事,并非随从无节制的欲望的引诱,却是按着理性的指挥。人间的斗争还有比努力于克服自我的斗争更大吗?这应该是我们的任务,克服自我,每天逐渐刚强,在圣洁的生活 中生长。
四 人间一切的圆满总都含有一些缺陷;我们的知识亦无不具有一些错误的。自视卑微是比追求学问更可靠的一条引到上帝面前的路。但是,求学并无足以非难之处,对于事物的知识也不要厌恶,知识本身原是好的,且是上帝所谓立的。不过,洁净的良心和道德的生活总要放在知识的前而更受重视才好。然而许多人宁可努力追求知识,忽视了道德的生活,所以他们常常受了欺骗。若不是毫无所获,便是所得无几!
Bible Reference:
English Version:
The Doctrine of Truth 2
The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he
understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21). The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart? A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but according to the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.
Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well.
Bible Reference:
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