On True Wisdom

The Lord said to the sinful woman: "Neither will I condemn you. Go, and from now on, sin no more." original: "Nec ego te condempnabo. Vade deinceps iam noli peccare." This refers to the story of the woman caught in adultery from the Gospel of John 8:11. But having been made secure concerning the past, beware of the future. "Neither," He says, "will I condemn you. I have blotted out what you committed; observe what I have commanded, so that you may find what I have promised." This is Augustine.

You have heard Augustine now, O orator; hear also Chrysostom St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD), an Early Church Father known as "Golden-Mouthed" for his eloquent preaching. on John saying thus: "What is worse than a thief and a murderer? Is this not the ultimate form of wickedness? And yet he arrived instantly at the height of virtue, and passed into paradise itself, needing not many days, nor even a single day, but a brief moment." Chrysostom refers to the "Good Thief" crucified alongside Jesus, who was promised entry to Paradise in his final moments. Why is it possible to be suddenly transformed and become gold out of clay?

Greek Because since virtue or malice is not a matter of nature The author argues that human character is not a fixed biological trait, but a choice of the soul., the transformation is easy when it is plucked away from all necessity. "If you are willing and hear me," says the Lord, "you shall eat the good things of the earth." original: "Si volueritis et audieritis me... bona terre comedetis" from Isaiah 1:19. You see that it requires the will alone—indeed, not a common and naked will, which many have, but an eager one, which belongs to the few. Because I have known everyone to wish to fly into heaven now, but one must show their will through works.

For Simile just as a merchant wishes to be enriched, but he does not stop his will at the level of the mind; rather, he builds a ship, gathers sailors, seeks out a pilot, and prepares the vessel in all other respects. He borrows money, crosses the sea, goes to a foreign land, and sustains many dangers, along with all the other things known to those who navigate the sea. Thus it is necessary for us to show our will. For we too are navigating a voyage—not that which goes from land to land, but that which goes from earth to heaven. Let us, therefore, prepare our mind for a proper steering...