Letter 68

Isidore of PelusiumA wealthy man|isidore pelusium
From: Isidore of Pelusium, monk
To: A wealthy man
Date: ~410 AD
Context: Isidore challenges a rich man to give alms rather than hoard wealth.

If it were possible to take your money with you after death, even then it would hardly be precious — it would be overshadowed by the far greater treasures of the next world. Still, it might at least offer some shadow of comfort. But since that is impossible, and since you can exchange your wealth for something better by spending it on charity — especially since you do not even have the plausible excuse of needing to provide for children — it would be better to do willingly what necessity will force upon you anyway. Your wealth will be taken from you at death regardless. Why not give it away now, when it can still do some good? And if you will not give, at least stop robbing the poor. Have you no shame?

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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