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.

How many people have caught ravens more than once with snares and nets, and the crows caught did not know that they would become the prey of the catcher and would be taken? And for you, as you say, these crows portend the future? The ravens, who did not know at all that the snare had been set for them and did not know about their destruction, turn out to be forerunners and prophets of the unprecedented? Therefore, leave bird-divination. Some were attentive to this, as worthy of such a delusion, they noticed the flights of ravens, describing a circle in front and behind and above the head, and deviating to the sides, and also noticed the cries of ravens. However, it is obvious that the evil demons fly together with the ravens and, in order to lead a deluded person to a guess, give the birds such a flight. And therefore, having fallen away from faith in Christ the Saviour and having been exposed to inevitable dangers, they, although they had cherished good hopes, believed in the beautiful omens shown by the ravens, and after a thousand losses, losses, and torments, they finally ended their lives with a bad and accursed end. "For there is a cruel end of unrighteousness," says the Scriptures (Wisdom 3:19). Therefore, if you want to avoid the danger of becoming the prey of demons, do not make such observations of the flight and cry of birds, of the encounters of all kinds of animals, rational or irrational, of those who have called you back to stop, and of all vain omens—in a word, do not observe anything, only sin. For it is useful to guard against it alone and to withdraw unceasingly. It is desirable for us that you should know this: with some people, who observed these soul-damaging signs according to the Hellenic custom, the very thing that they foresaw often happened, but not according to the power and foreshadowing of miserable ravens, or pigs, or dogs, or people, but according to the judgment of God, who punishes them for their unbelief and laughs at him. For it is said: "He will give thee to the Lord according to thy heart" (Psalm 19:5): and it shall be with thee as thou hast expected, and I will surround thee with calamities, sorrows, and sorrows, which thou hast feared, believing in evil omen, so that the deceived, having come to the knowledge of their superstition in time, and having recourse to good repentance, cease abominable observations, and at last entrust their deeds to God's Providence, in all things they raised their souls to God.

2.195. To Magisterian Ilion.

If God forbade doing evil and casts those who do evil into hell of fire, then will He help those who do evil? Therefore, do not say that God hearkens to people who are corrupt, unclean, rotten in their undertakings, and puts a man to death, and subdues a horse that runs through the lists. Let it not be so! This is not God's work. Evil demons tend to assist in this. For the sorcerers, having made images of what –

So, beware of them, lest you get caught in the net.

On the Change of Places by Monks

1.289. To the Monk Venust.

A monk who, without great need, only through his faint-heartedness, impatience and some human and feeble thoughts, moves from place to place, thinking by wandering to reduce the number of spiritual thoughts, although he will change the place, nevertheless he will not reduce or diminish his heartfelt sorrow, confusion and temptation, but will increase them even more, give them more food, strength, modes of action and variety. Therefore, let us not be careless or careless in the course of life. For surely we will give an account of our deeds.