The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Religion
The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
Wherefore we have no country on earth, that we may despise earthly
possessions. And frugality[679] is in the highest degree rich, being
equal to unfailing expenditure, bestowed on what is requisite, and to
the degree requisite. For τέλη has the meaning of expenses.
How a husband is to live with his wife, and respecting self-help,
and housekeeping, and the employment of domestics; and further, with
respect to the time of marriage, and what is suitable for wives, we
have treated in the discourse concerning marriage. What pertains to
discipline alone is reserved now for description, as we delineate
the life of Christians. The most indeed has been already said, and
laid down in the form of disciplinary rules. What still remains we
shall subjoin; for examples are of no small moment in determining to
salvation.
See, says the tragedy,
“The consort of Ulysses was not killed
By Telemachus; for she did not take a husband in addition to a
husband,
But in the house the marriage-bed remains unpolluted.”[680]
Reproaching foul adultery, he showed the fair image of chastity in
affection to her husband.
The Lacedæmonians compelling the Helots, their servants (Helots is the
name of their servants), to get drunk, exhibited their drunken pranks
before themselves, who were temperate, for cure and correction.
Observing, accordingly, their unseemly behaviour, in order that they
themselves might not fall into like censurable conduct, they trained
themselves, turning the reproach of the drunkards to the advantage of
keeping themselves free from fault.
For some men being instructed are saved; and others, self-taught,
either aspire after or seek virtue.
“He truly is the best of all who himself perceives all things.”[681]
Such is Abraham, who sought God.
“And good, again, is he who obeys him who advises well.”[682]
Such are those disciples who obeyed the Word. Wherefore the former was
called “friend,” the latter “apostles;” the one diligently seeking, and
the other preaching one and the same God. And both are peoples, and
both these have hearers, the one who is profited through seeking, the
other who is saved through finding.
“But whoever neither himself perceives, nor, hearing another,
Lays to heart--he is a worthless man.”[683]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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