Fragments on Matthew · §252 · Cyril of Alexandria

Matthew 25:6–9

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Souls that neglect virtue wither and are as if quenched, and they go into madness, having thought that at the Savior’s second presence they can be saved without the working of the virtues. That is why they are also rejected by the prudent who say to them, “Perhaps it will not suffice for us and for you.” (Matthew 25:8–9) For this indicates here that someone can scarcely ever be saved through his own virtue, and certainly not through that of others; for it is foolish that someone who does not work should have received the wage of the working.

Greek

Αἱ ψυχαὶ ἀμελοῦσαι τῆς ἀρετῆς μαραίνονταί τε καὶ οἱονεὶ κατα σβέννυνται καὶ εἰς παραφροσύνην χωροῦσιν οἰηθεῖσαι ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ σωτῆρος δύνασθαι σωθῆναι ἄνευ τῆς τῶν ἀρετῶν ἐργα σίας. διὸ καὶ ἀποδοκιμάζονται ὑπὸ τῶν φρονίμων λεγουσῶν πρὸς αὐτάς· μήποτε οὐκ ἀρκέσῃ ἡμῖν τε καὶ ὑμῖν· τοῦτο γὰρ ὑποσημαίνει ἐνταῦθα τὸ μόλις ποτὲ δύνασθαι σωθῆναί τινα διὰ τῆς οἰκείας ἀρετῆς, οὐ μὴν διὰ τῆς τῶν ἑτέρων· μωρὸν γὰρ τὸ μὴ ἐργαζόμενόν τινα μισθὸν εἰληφέναι τῆς ἐργασίας.

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