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Concerning Virtue and Vice

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By Solomon, we possess nothing to proffer a proof of virtue, but in
our vice we are consumed.
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From the same Do not let irreverent men deceive you, neither go in
the way with them. Turn your feet from their paths, for their feet run to
vice (mischief)
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From the same (Prov.13:13),He that despises the word shall be
despised
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From the same (Prov.10:26),As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to
the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
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Sirach (27:30), A mischievous counsel shall be rolled back upon the
author, and he shall not know from whence it comes to him.
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Basil the Great, Virtue is the only inalienable possession. The labor of
virtue, indeed for one not having precious possessions, is a pleasant sight for
those who happen to see it.
For just like fire automatically follows starting a light, and the smell
from perfuming, even so of necessity profit follows good works.

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withdrawing from vices is the beginning toward the ascent toward the
good. For incline, they say, from evil and do good.
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Gregory the Theologian, Vice is naturally easy, and the road very
easily trod, running against the flow it runs, or as a reed with a spark and
wind easily ignited becomes a flame, and are consumed together in the
common nature.
For it is not something very easy, to have found victory in the virtues,
and so also to give the honor and victory trophies. It is just like not one of
the most beautiful and aromatic flowers in a well flowered and pleasantly
smelling meadow at anytime, except at this time, draws us to itself to its
pleasant smell and appearance, except it first is plucked up.
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Chrysostom, The acquisition of the good is rare even for those who
progress although it may be very enticing and provocative.
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Virtue is unrewarded, in order that virtue might stay, with its view
towards the only good.
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Right
action not only does not make noisey show, but having
conquered perverse vice, rests complacent in itself.
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The pursuit of virtue is not so that we dont have enemies, for this is
not anything virtuous, but rather virtue shines more brightly through such
things.

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Many have many times flee from virtues because of the toils, or
because of the praise from them they prefer to toil.
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Just like the end of life is the beginning of death, so also the firm start
on the way to virtue, the beginning of the end happens for the vicious way
of life.
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We have been taught from the Holy Scriptures that virtue is hard to
accomplish, by doing our best in many tears and toils, and being corrected
by hard labor.
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If one transgressing the laws of this world is subject to intractable
punishment, how much rather he that despises the decrees of the Heavenly
king shall be meted out unbearable punishments?

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Just like on a harp, it is not enough to practice the melody on one of
the strings, but we need to use them all to make the appropriate rhythm,
even so with the virtues of the soul, one law does not suffice us for salvation,
but we need to keep them all with exactness.
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Let us not then say, that so and so is naturally evil, or that so and so
by nature is good. For if by nature one is good, it never at at any time is able
to become evil. And if by nature it is evil, it never at anytime shall become
good.
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The darkness does not tolerate the presence of the light, neither can
sickness, taking its health, continue: when dispassion is present the
passions do not act.
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Virtue is properly free of all fear. For virtue is its own master and freely
willing, free from all fear and necessity.
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There is not to thought that there is another birth or reason for vice
than the absence of virtue.
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The transformation of vices is the beginning of salvation.
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It would seem, righteousness is fourfold, equal and the same in
word,work,in restraint from evil, in benificence, in intellectual perfection, in
no way at all imperfect, lest it seem unrighteous and not impartial.
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Get the idea of what virtue is, lest you are decieved, but so you may
profit.

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We need to read the Reign (kingdom) of God as referring to the
divinely appointed arrangement of those living according to the laws of God
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Every practical virtue is in coming into being, and not in having been,
for it has being.
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Be glad you are presently doing virtue, but dont be lifted up lest at
anytime it happens that the shipwreck happens at sea.
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Cyril, It is necessary that virtue be not defective in any way, rather in
deed and word be straight and even in both these ways.
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Virtue is rough, and you are set straight in the path upon it, and
though one would not choose it being split, labor greatly?
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From the Fathers,The soul is maddened by four things: by walking in

the city and not guarding your eyes, by having intimate knowledge with
women, by having affection for the celebrities of the world, and to love
sensual speech and empty talk.
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Cleitarch,Do not think that is good to possess virtue, but that it is
necessary and beyond necessary.
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He that possesses virtue, shall possess everything. He that is vicious
doesnt even have himself.Cleitarch
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Socrates,Having seen one of the students studying in the field, but
leaving off his work. Look, he said,if you dont want to tame the beast,
you make your soul like a beast.

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Democritus,Those which pamper their bodies, but neglect their own

selves, are upbraided, since they dont care about what properly belongs to
them, but neglect what really dwells in them .
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Democritus, We need to have good certain speech, but more so
resplendent deeds
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Democritus, To do nothing unworthy of Him, will you make you
worthy of Him.
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Uperidos,While one needs to show the good by the words which he
thinks, he also needs to in the works which he does.
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Ittacos, the goods men have are some portion of God
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Aristotle,It is proper to God to do what He wishes, but to mankind to
be eager to do what we must.
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Antiphonos,Whenever someone sets out to do shameful deeds, you expect

him to experience difficulty from these things.