On Those who Think that They are Made Righteous by Works

Mark The Ascetic (Marcus Eremita, ca. 5th century)

He who does not understand God’s judgments walks on a ridge like a knife-edge and is easily unbalanced by every puff of wind. When praised, he exults; when criticized, he feels bitter. When he feasts, he makes a pig of himself; and when he suffers hardship, he moans and groans. When he understands, he shows off; and when he does not understand, he pretends that he does. When rich, he is boastful; and when in poverty, he plays the hypocrite. Gorged, he grows brazen; and when he fasts, he becomes arrogant. He quarrels with those who reprove him; and those who forgive him he regards as fools.

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Originally published in the Philokalia of the Holy Fathers, Faber & Faber, 1985,
pp.127-148.