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On Jealousy and Envy

Cyprian of Carthage

Section 2

About this work

Author: Cyprian of Carthage

2. He goeth about every one of us; and even

‹ Section 1 Section 3 ›

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

walls

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

.

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

.

Notes

4
According to some, “of our members.”
5
[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.]