41. There is a sin which is always 'unto death' (1 John 5: 16): the sin for which we do not repent. For this sin even a saint's prayers will not be heard.
42. He who repents rightly does not imagine that it is his own effort which cancels his former sins; but through this effort he makes his peace with God.
43. If we are under an obligation to perform daily all the good
actions of which our nature is capable,
what do we have left overactions of which our nature is capable,
to give to God in repayment for our past sins ?
44. However great our virtuous actions of today, they do not
requite but condemn our past negligence.
requite but condemn our past negligence.
45. He who suffers affliction in his intellect but relaxes physically is like one who suffers affliction in his body while allowing his intellect to be dispersed.
46. Voluntary affliction in one of these parts of our nature benefits the other: to suffer affliction with the mind benefits the flesh, and to suffer it with the flesh benefits the mind. When our mind and flesh are not in union, our state deteriorates.
47. It is a great virtue to accept patiently whatever comes and, as the Lord enjoins, to love a neighbour who hates you.
48. The sign of sincere love is to forgive wrongs done to us. It was with such love that the Lord loved the world.
49. We cannot with all our heart forgive someone who does us wrong unless we possess real knowledge. For this knowledge shows us that we deserve all we experience.
50. You will lose nothing of what you have renounced for the Lord's sake. For in its own time it will return to you greatly multiplied.
51. When the intellect forgets the purpose of true devotion, then external works of virtue bring no profit.
52. If poor judgment is harmful to everyone, it is particularly so to those who live with great strictness.
53. Philosophize through your works about man's will and God's retribution. For your words are only as wise and as profitable as your works.
54. Those who suffer for the sake of true devotion receive help.
This must be learnt through obeying God's law and our own conscience.
55. One man received a thought and accepted it without examination. Another received a thought and tested its truth. Which of them acted with greater reverence?
56. Real knowledge is patiently to accept affliction and not to blame others for our own misfortunes.
57. He who does something good and expects a reward is serving not God but his own will.
58. A sinner cannot escape retribution except through repentance appropriate to his offence.
59. There are those who claim that we cannot do good unless we actively receive the grace of the Spirit.
60. Those who always by choice incline to sensual pleasures refrain from doing what lies within their power on the grounds that they lack help.
ST MARK THE ASCETIC
On Those who Think that
They are Made Righteous by Works:
Two Hundred and Twenty-Six Texts
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