"Do not be jealous of the wicked, and do not envy them that do iniquity. For they will soon dry up like grass, and like green grass they will soon fall away. Do not be jealous of wickedness, for the wicked shall be cut off" (Psalm 36:1-2, 8).

95. Flattery, lies, and deceit are vices akin to the devil, and they are also the devil's own, for the devil is the "father of lies" and deceit (John 8:44). He also teaches this to his servants, people who depict his evil will and morals in themselves. These vices are possessed by those people who speak one language and have another in their hearts. Such people are usually called double-minded, because it is as if they have two souls, that is, an inner and an outer: with the outer soul they treat people and deceive people, but with the inner soul they protect themselves. People of this kind treat their neighbors kindly, smoothly, quietly, but flatteringly and treacherously, so that they can creep into their hearts, in the likeness of a thief. They know how to show themselves humble, but inside everything is different; at times they weep and sigh, but in a different heart. And to swear and swear are the first, although their oath is only on the tongue; And even more so, people are deceived. In this they imitate their father, the father of lies, the devil, who is sometimes transformed into an angel of light, so that he can more conveniently deceive and destroy a person. These people's words are like honey, and the deed itself is like poison. Those who want to poison someone with poison smear with honey so that the evil deed is not known. Thus, these souls, in order to catch the simple-hearted more conveniently, cover the poison of malice with their words soft and affectionate, like honey. This is what Cain did, who summoned his brother Abel to the field, as if for some good reason, but in his heart he plotted to arm himself with a murderous hand against him and shed innocent blood (Gen. 4:8). Thus did Judas the traitor, who greeted and kissed Christ with his lips: "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him" (Matt. 26:49); but by doing so he betrayed his Lord and Teacher into the hands of the wicked. So now many greet us: "Hello, hello!" - but with their hearts they desire our destruction, and so "they soften words softer than oil, but they shoot arrows," according to the words of the Psalmist (Psalm 54:22). Sirach described them in detail: "With his lips the enemy will delight you, but in his heart he plots to throw you into a pit: with his eyes the enemy will weep, and when he finds an opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood. If misfortune befalls you, you will find it there before you, and he, as if wishing to help, will put his foot to you: he will nod his head and clap his hands, he will whisper many things, and he will change his face" (Sir. 12:15-18). And it seems that the morals of such people are extremely depraved, and nothing but the morals of the devil, for he lies and deceives, flatters and deceives, and does everything for the sole purpose of destroying man. In the same way, they also learn from this, in order to deceive their neighbor and laugh at him.

96. There is no greater plague to society than flatterers and cunning ones. Because: 1) fidelity, without which the union of society is not worth it, cannot be there, but instead unbelief will enter. That is why it follows that they will not believe in each other in anything, they will fear each other, they will be afraid of each other, they will hide themselves, they will consider each other enemies: what is the cause of all the evil in society? 2) There can be no peace there, but instead mutual hatred, enmity, quarrels, and so on. For it is also characteristic of flatterers and cunning ones that they transfer and retell the words of one to another not as they have heard, and do not interpret them as forcefully as they have spoken, but in a different way. And so suspicions are placed on one another: from what friendship is destroyed, and from this there is mutual enmity. In this way they try to appear to be friends to everyone, but inwardly they are the true enemies of all. 3) Flattery and deceit, as it seems, introduced and multiplied God-defying oaths and vain invocations of the terrible name of God in the most vile things, such as: "To God! God is for that! God knows! and God is a witness! and so on. Since many, being deceitful and flattering, are deceived, do not believe even those who speak the truth, therefore people are forced to affirm the faithfulness of their words by invoking the name of God that they are already doing in the most vile things. And children from parents, the little from the old, the inferior from the higher, learn the same thing, which has become a lawless and pernicious custom and is not considered a sin. Thus lies and deceit sow their useless tares and do not allow the wheat of good deeds to grow!

97. Double-minded cunning, no matter how cunning, nevertheless unwillingly show their cunning, especially when, either inflamed with wine, or inflamed with great anger, they vomit out that which was hidden in their hearts: then "out of the abundance of their hearts their mouths speak" (Matt. 12:34); Then they show themselves what they are. Drunkenness and severe cholera or anger overcome all cunning and, as a true and faithful witness, proclaim the secret of the heart. In this case, the person himself does not know what he is doing and saying. For then it is not the mind, but the heart, inflamed with wine or anger, that acts.

98. Let the simple soul, who knows no flattery or deceit, heed the admonition of the Psalmist: "Do not be jealous of the wicked, and do not envy those who do iniquity. For they will soon dry up like grass, and like green grass they will soon fall away." And let him pray with David: "Remove me, O Lord, from the evil man, deliver me from the unrighteous man. They thought unrighteousness in their hearts, all day long they prepared for battle, they sharpened their tongues like those of a serpent: the poison of snakes is in their mouths," and so on. (Psalm 139:1-3). Let the wicked also hear the same word: "Like grass they will soon wither, and like green grass they will soon fall away," and let them heed that the same prophet wrote: "Thou shalt destroy all those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and flattering" (Psalm 5:7). And if they believe that there is a God, "who searches hearts and bowels, and recompenses each one according to his deeds" (Psalm 61:13), let them treat their neighbors with sincerity; and let them learn what is spoken with the tongue, and to have it in the heart, and to show what is declared by the word, by the deed itself.

Chapter 6: On Idleness

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Gen. 3:19).

"A man shall go out to his work, and to his work until the evening" (Psalm 103:23).

"For when we were with you, we commanded you this: If any man will not work, neither shall he eat," says the Apostle (2 Thess. 3:10).

99. Idleness, or withdrawal from labor, or sloth, is a sin in itself, for it is contrary to the commandment of God, which commands us to eat our bread in the sweat of our brow. God said to our forefather Adam: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou returnest to the ground from whence thou wast taken" (Gen. 3:19), and this command applies to us, his sons, as well. And the holy Apostle forbids him to eat who does not want to work. Consequently, those who live in idleness and feed on the labor of others sin unceasingly; and they will not cease to sin until they give themselves up to blessed labors. Excluded from this are the infirm and the elderly, who, although they would like to work, are unable to.

100. Not only is it sinful to be idle and to spend one's life without good labors, as has been said, but this is also the cause of many evils. For the human heart cannot be idle, but is occupied with some thoughts.

Hence drunkenness, the cause of many evils and temptations; hence all kinds of fornication; hence evil conversations, gossip, condemnations, ridicule, backbiting, blasphemy. Hence the frequent feasts and the consequent evils, such as theft, robbery, perjury, and so on. Hence card games and the combined deceptions, outrages, quarrels, fights and other lawlessness. Idleness invents superfluous luxury, which cannot exist without the offense of one's neighbor and the ruin of society. Idleness plots unnecessary buildings and other similar inventions, which cannot exist without the bloody tears of the poor. Idleness teaches to break, steal, kidnap, commit violence, lie, flatter, deceive. For the idle, having nothing to eat, rushes to steal the works of others, either openly, or secretly, or flatteringly. Thus, "idleness taught many evil things," according to the words of the wise Sirach (Sir. 33:28). That is why Solomon also says: "Everyone who is idle dwells in lusts" (Proverbs 13:4).

101. Idleness not only destroys the soul, but also harms the body. 1) Those who live in idleness are subject to all kinds of infirmities and infirmities. As water that has no current is corrupted, so the human body deteriorates and weakens without movement and labor. For the blood, on which all bodily integrity depends, in the one who has no movement from labor, thickens and so little by little rots. 2) He who does not work cannot take food for sweetness. Labors seem to compel the reception and cooking of food in the stomach, without which the stomach turns away from food. 3) As sleep is sweet after labor, so without labor it is restless. 4) Revellers and those who stagger idly are subject to ridicule and reproach of people. 5) They are forced to live in poverty and misery. For "poverty comes to them like a passer-by, and want like a thief," says Solomon (Proverbs 6:11).

102. In order to avoid idleness and the evils that follow it, one must firmly know: 1) That time is more precious than any treasure. 2) It is impossible to find the words of what was said, so it is impossible to find the lost time. 3) Those who have wasted time in vain will regret and seek the slightest time for repentance, no other than those who thirst for cold water; but they will not find it when there will be a time of judgment, and not of repentance; severity, not pardon. 4) It is necessary to give an answer for the time itself that has been wasted. For the present time is a bargain, in which the talents given to us by our Lord must be multiplied by labors with God's help, so that with the lazy servant we may not hear the terrible decree of the Lord: "Cast the worthless servant into outer darkness" (Matt. 25:30). Therefore, everyone should listen to the admonitions of the wise Solomon: "Go to the ant, you sluggard, see his actions, and be wise. He has no ruler, no bailiff, no master; but he stores up his bread in the summer, and gathers his food at harvest time. Or go to the bee and find out how industrious it is, what a venerable work it produces; her labors are used for health by both kings and commoners; she is loved by all and glorious; Though she is weak in strength, she is honored in wisdom. How long will you, sloth, sleep? When will you arise from your sleep? Sleep a little, slumber a little, lie down a little, folding your hands: and your poverty will come like a passer-by, and your need like a thief" (Proverbs 6:6-11).