Letter 1246
Isidore of Pelusium→Unknown|isidore pelusium
diplomatic
Just as the quality of the site of a city is closely related to the quality of the climate [of the location], in the same way for hearts, a good disposition to virtue helps the divine alliance along. In other words, if you are naturally virtuous, this will help lead you into a relationship with Christ. Well, maybe; but I’m not at all sure that the apostles would have agreed. Won’t the naturally virtuous tend to be proud, like the Pharisee? Pride obstructs the recognition of sin, and so prevents repentance and conversion at all.
Just as the quality of the site of a city is closely related to the quality of the climate [of the location], in the same way for hearts, a good disposition to virtue helps the divine alliance along. In other words, if you are naturally virtuous, this will help lead you into a relationship with Christ. Well, maybe; but I’m not at all sure that the apostles would have agreed. Won’t the naturally virtuous tend to be proud, like the Pharisee? Pride obstructs the recognition of sin, and so prevents repentance and conversion at all.
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Just as the quality of the site of a city is closely related to the quality of the climate [of the location], in the same way for hearts, a good disposition to virtue helps the divine alliance along. In other words, if you are naturally virtuous, this will help lead you into a relationship with Christ. Well, maybe; but I’m not at all sure that the apostles would have agreed. Won’t the naturally virtuous tend to be proud, like the Pharisee? Pride obstructs the recognition of sin, and so prevents repentance and conversion at all.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.