Sentences to a Virgin
Sententiae ad virginem
Evagrius Ponticus (c. 345–399) wrote these sentences to a virgin. They are short counsels in the manner of Proverbs. This file is not his sentences to the monks.
Exhortation to a Virgin§1
1Sentences addressed to a virgin: An exhortation to a virgin. 1 Love the Lord and he will love you, and serve him and he will enlighten your heart. 2 Honor your mother as the mother of Christ, and do not provoke the one who gave birth to you. 3 Love your sisters as the daughters of your mother, and do not abandon the way of peace. 4 As the sun rises, let it see the book in your hands, and after the second hour, let it see your work. 5 Pray unceasingly, and remember Christ who begot you. 6 Avoid the company of men, so that idols may not be generated in your soul and there may not be an obstacle for you in a time of prayer. 7 You have Christ as beloved; reject from you all men, and you will not live a reproachful life. 8 Make anger and wrath far from you, and let resentment not nest within you. 9 Do not say, 'Today I will eat and tomorrow I will not eat,' for you do not do this with prudence. For there will be harm to your body and pain to your stomach. 10 To eat meat not good and to drink wine not good, but to offer these things to those who are weak, is required. 11 A reckless virgin will not be saved, and a profligate one will not see her bridegroom. 12 Do not say, 'The maidservant has grieved me and I will punish her,' because there is no slavery among the daughters of God. 13 Do not give your hearing to vain words, and flee the tales of gossiping old women. 14 Do not see festivals through drunkenness, and do not enter into the weddings of others. For every virgin doing these things is unclean before the Lord. 15 Open your mouth with the word of God, and restrain your tongue from much talk. 16 Humble yourself before the Lord (James 4:10), and his right hand will exalt you. 17 Do not turn away from a poor person in a time of distress, and there will not fail oil in your lamp. 18 Do everything through the Lord, and do not seek glory from men, for glory...
Greek · §1
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Sentences on Virginity and Conduct§2
2Humans are like grass flowers, but the glory of the Lord remains for ever. The Lord loves a gentle virgin, but an angry virgin he will hate. An obedient virgin will be shown mercy, but a contentious one is strongly foolish. The Lord will destroy a grumbling virgin, but the thankful one he will rescue from death.
Shameful laughter and shamelessness are disgraceful, and every fool is entangled in such things. She who beautifies her garments will be outside of temperance. Do not associate with worldly women, lest they turn away your heart and make your righteous purposes invalid. Call upon the Lord with tears in the night, and though no one perceives you praying, you will find grace.
Lustful wandering and longing for others' homes overturns the state of the soul and corrupts its readiness. A faithful virgin will not fear, but the unfaithful will flee even from her own shadow. Envy destroys the soul, and jealousy consumes it. Despising a weak sister, she will be far from Christ.
Do not say, 'this is mine and that is yours.' For in Christ Jesus all things are common (Acts 4:32). She will not labor for another's life, nor will she rejoice in her sister's fall. It is enough for virgins to pray, and do not boast of your nobility. Do not bring forth a word from your mouth in the assembly of the Lord, and do not wander your eyes. For the Lord knows your heart, and he scrutinizes all your thoughts. Put away every evil desire from you, and they will not grieve you.
Greek · §2
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Spiritual Discipline and the Virgin's Soul§3
3Sing from your heart, and do not move only your tongue in your mouth.
A foolish virgin will love silver, but the prudent one will add even her food. Just as an unquenchable impulse of fire is difficult to manage, so a virgin's soul, once wounded, is difficult to heal. Do not give your soul over to evil thoughts, so that they may not stain your heart and cause them to make a long distance from you of pure prayer.
Heavy sorrow and unsubstantial acedia; but tears toward God are stronger than both. Fasting and thirsting wither bad desires, but good wakefulness cleanses the mind. Love turns away anger and passion, but gifts overturn grudgefulness.
The one who slanders her sister in secret will be cast out from the bridal chamber, and she will cry out at its doors and there will be no one listening. A virgin without mercy will have her lamps extinguished, and she will certainly not see her bridegroom having come forth. A wave falling upon a rock will be crushed, and a virgin touching a man will not be acquitted.
A gentle woman is better than an angry and hot-tempered virgin. She who draws out a man's words in jest is like one throwing a noose around her own neck. Just as a pearl in a golden headband, so is a virgin covered by modesty.
The songs of demons and flutes release the soul and destroy its stability, which you must guard always, so that you may not become vulnerable. Do not delight in trifles, and do not rejoice in those who mock, because the Lord has abandoned them.
Greek · §3
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The Reward of Virginity§4
4Do not despise your sister who is eating, and do not be proud because of your self-control. For you do not know what the Lord will decide or who will stand before him.
She who shows mercy, having closed her eyes and having disciplined her flesh, will not rejoice over the impassibility of the soul. Self-control is heavy and purity is difficult to direct, but nothing is sweeter than the heavenly bridegroom. Souls of virgins will be enlightened, but souls of the impure will see darkness.
I saw men envying virgins through doctrines and making their virginity in vain. But you listen, child, to the doctrines of the Lord's church, and let no stranger convert you. For the righteous will inherit light, but the ungodly will dwell in darkness.
Virgin eyes will see the Lord. Virgin ears will hear his words. A virgin mouth will kiss his bridegroom. A virgin sense of smell will run toward the scent of his myrrh. Virgin hands will touch the Lord, and the purity of the flesh will be well-received. A virgin soul will be crowned, and with her bridegroom she will live forever. A spiritual garment will be given to her, and she will celebrate in the heavens with the angels. She will light an inextinguishable lamp, and oil will not fail in her vessels. She will take eternal wealth, and will inherit the kingdom of God.
My words, child, are spoken to you; let your heart keep my sayings. Remember Christ who guards you, and let not the worshipful Trinity be forgotten.
Greek · §4
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