The Monk of Silver-Loving and the Nature of Anger

He who wishes to cut down the passions, let him cut out the root; for while love of money remains, pruning the branches profits nothing — even if they are cut, they will immediately blossom again. A rich monk is a laden ship, easily sinking in a squall of waves; for just as an overloaded ship is tormented by every wave, so the rich man is submerged by anxieties. An ungreedy monk is a well-equipped traveler, finding lodging in every place. An ungreedy monk is a high-flying eagle, swooping down for food only when need compels.

Such a one is higher than every temptation; he laughs at present things, is lifted up on high, departs from earthly things, and roams together with those above; for he has a light wing, not weighed down by anxieties; tribulation came, and he left the place without grief; death stood by, and he departs cheerfully; for he bound his soul to no earthly bond.

But the rich man is fettered by anxieties, and is tied like a dog to a chain; even if he is forced to move away, he carries the memories of his possessions as a heavy burden and a useless load; he is stung by grief and pained violently at the thought; he has left his possessions and is scourged by grief. And if death comes, he piteously leaves present things, gives up his soul, and does not turn his eye from his affairs; unwilling, he is dragged like a runaway slave; he is separated from his body but not separated from his affairs — the more so as the passion holds back those who drag him.

Chapter 8. The sea is not filled, receiving a multitude of rivers, and the desire of the money-lover is not filled with money; he has doubled his money and desires to make it double again, and never ceases doubling, until death stops this fruitless haste.

A sensible monk will attend to the need of the body, and fill the want of the stomach with bread and water; he will not flatter the rich for the pleasure of the belly, nor enslave a free mind to many masters; for the hands suffice to serve the body and to fill its natural need continually. An ungreedy monk is an unhindered athlete and a light runner, swiftly reaching the prize of the upward calling. A rich monk rejoices in many revenues, but the ungreedy in crowns of achievements.

A money-loving monk works hard, but the ungreedy devotes himself to prayers and readings. A money-loving monk fills chests with gold, but the ungreedy stores treasure in heaven. ‘Accursed is he who makes an idol and sets it in secret’ (Deut 27:15), and likewise he who has the passion of love of money; for the one worships a counterfeit, useless thing, while the other carries about an image of the fantasy of wealth.

Chapter 9. On anger. Anger is a maddening passion, and easily drives out of their senses those who have knowledge; it makes the soul bestial and makes one avoid every encounter. A violent wind will not move a tower, and thumos does not snatch away a wrathless soul. Water is moved by the violence of winds, and the irascible man is troubled by senseless thoughts. An angry monk saw someone and gnashed his teeth. The rising of mist thickens the air, and the movement of thumos thickens the mind of the angry man. A cloud slipping beneath darkened the sun, and a thought of rancor darkened the mind. A lion in a cage stirs continually, and the irascible man in his cell stirs thoughts of anger. A pleasant sight is a calm sea, but nothing is more pleasant than a peaceful state; for in a calm sea dolphins swim about, and in a peaceful state god-befitting thoughts swim. A long-suffering monk is a quiet spring, offering all a gentle drink; but the mind of the angry man is continually troubled and will not give water to the thirsty — and if it gives, it is muddied and useless; and the eyes of the irascible are troubled and bloodshot, messengers of the troubled heart. But the face of the long-suffering is rightly composed, and his eyes are gentle, looking downward.

Chapter 10. A man’s gentleness is remembered by God, and a wrathless soul becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit. Christ lays His head to rest in a long-suffering spirit, and a peacemaking mind becomes a dwelling of the Holy Trinity. Foxes dwell in a rancorous soul, and beasts make their lair in a troubled heart. A reverent man flees a shameful lodging, and God flees a rancorous heart. A stone falling in troubled water, and an evil word troubled a man’s heart. Remove thoughts of anger from your soul, and let thumos not encamp in your heart, and you will not be troubled in the time of prayer; for just as the smoke of chaff troubles the eyes, so…