2.259. Comitus Asclepiades.

Let us not despise true widows, for God cares greatly for them. He sent the great Elijah to the widow, and the tear of the widow of Nain was dried by the Lord of all Jesus Himself, who cried out to her: "Weep not" (Luke 7:13). And James commands "to visit the orphans and widows in their afflictions" (James 1:27).

On Honoring Parents

2.196. To the Junior Chairman John.

"Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be good," the Lord has decreed (Deuteronomy 5:16). Therefore, if possible, do not leave your parents even for a moment, lest, without their care, care, and care, you meet with evil people and throw a noose over yourself. For there are many, especially among young people, who are foolish, sensual, workers of iniquity, receptacles of all kinds of filth, who do great harm to those who approach them. Therefore, avoid the infection and impurity of such people, always be with love with your parents, honor them more than anyone else, behave according to their instructions, protected by their prayers. For though thou shalt render them all kinds of service, thou shalt not be able to bear them again for thyself.

3.86. Gigantium.

If you honor God, then honor those who gave birth to you. If you fear God, then throughout your life fear your father and mother. For the Lord says in the law: "Let a man fear his father and his mother" (Lev. 19:3).

On the Preservation of Secrets

2.148. Domesticus Chilon.

Depicting the inconstancy, infirmity, vagueness and unsteadiness of your heart, Sirach says: "The belly of a chariot is swift" (Sir. 33:5). If you now want to discover the truth and see the evidence that you do not intend to keep a secret at any time, but are ready to immediately declare and tell everyone what has been entrusted to you, and you will call the names of people, then listen now to what Sirach says: "I heard the word "buoy" and was sick, "as she who gives birth in the presence of a child" hurts (19:11). But most of all it is a sign of violence — to expose to shame, to spread here and there, and without any decency to discover what our friends have entrusted to us secretly and privately. Therefore, having been delivered from the diseases with which you suffer, at last become wise, firm, and the keeper of the mysteries even unto death, having made a strong "door" to your lips and irrepressible tongue and the strongest "Tabor" (28:29) and putting on them the seal of beautiful silence. For in such a case you will be able to be illumined by the light of Divine knowledge, and you will be enlightened by the Scriptures, saying: "The wisdom of a man shall enlighten his face" (Ecclesiastes 8:1). And again: "If thou hast heard the word, let it die with thee: Fear not, it shall not tear thee asunder" (Sir. 19:10) the word spoken to thee as a mystery.

On Faith, Omens, and Sorcery

2.138. To the scribe Nikandr.

I have repeatedly told you, and I repeat now, that if Apollonius of Tyana did anything by sorcery, it did not at all involve any heavenly beneficence, nor did it bring the slightest benefit to the soul. And, in the opinion of wise and pious people, who thirst for heavenly blessings, incorruptible and unceasing, all this is no different from the gift of a handful of barley. Therefore, do not be amazed at the works of sorcery, and do not be dismayed by this, but free yourself from fearfulness and childish thinking.

2.141. Lucius the Tribune.