Parva Naturalia and Ambigua

...similar to the confusion of the ancients or the attack? of evil spiritual forces against the piety of the soul; for it does not demonstrate the truth of things itself, but rather displays the shadow and the type original: typos; a symbolic figure or foreshadowing often used in biblical interpretation to link Old Testament events to New Testament truths.. Whence also the blessed Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says: "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." And again: "My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." These things being so, we must seek the truth with all precision and not pay heed to the mere plausibility of words.

This outward form of virtue, which is hypocrisy, is nothing other than a cloak for wickedness. For just as those who coat poisonous drugs with honey hide the bitterness with sweetness, so also those who cloak wickedness with the appearance of piety deceive the simpler folk. Therefore, the diligent person must not pay attention to what appears on the surface, but must search out that which is hidden in the depths.

Among the Greeks original: graikoi; in this context, the author refers to pagan philosophers and secular rhetoricians rather than the Greek-speaking Christian community. this is not the case, but there is a great difference between their words and their thoughts. For they attempt to conceal the weakness of their thoughts with the elegance of their phrasing and the rhythm of their vocabulary; but we demonstrate the power of the truth not in beautiful words, but in sound thoughts and good deeds.

For indeed our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ chose not orators and philosophers, but fishermen and commoners, so that it might be shown that the preaching of the Gospel was achieved not by the wisdom of men, but by the power of God.

The matters concerning the ordinances of the ancients and the precision of the canons cannot be discussed at the present time; for what has been said is enough for the clarity of the matters at hand, since the time is not suitable for longer discourses.

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...to men, that his life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. For this example in the Gospel of the rich man whose land brought forth abundantly clearly teaches us that wealth is vain and transitory This refers to the Parable of the Rich Fool found in the Gospel of Luke 12:16-21..

The honors and glories here below ought to be regarded as a dream and a shadow; for none of these things is permanent or stable, but all are flowing and changing. Only the acquisition of virtue remains immortal and cannot be taken away.

Periods concerning how we must manage original: oikonomein; relating to the stewardship or management of one's life and resources. our life, so that we are not hindered by the cares of the world, have been spoken of at length by the holy fathers, and the divine Scripture also prescribes much.

...of wealth. And this foolish man died before he could enjoy the fruits of his labors. Whence the Lord added: "So is he who treasures up for himself and is not rich toward God."

Therefore, we who seek heavenly things must prefer nothing of earthly things over the love of God, so that we may be able to attain the future blessedness, which may we all be deemed worthy of by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.