SEVENTH BOOK Against the Thoughts from the Demon of Vainglory

Against the thought from the demon of vainglory that advises us to go forth into the world at an improper time on the pretext that we might instruct the brothers and sisters and persuade them to [take up] the monastic life

Save your own soul. Do not look back or remain in the entire surrounding area. Escape to the mountain, lest perhaps you be overtaken.

Against the thought of vainglory that stirs up in me jealousy toward the brothers who have received from the Lord the gift of knowledge

Are you jealous of me? Would that all the Lord’s people were given to be prophets when the Lord gives his Spirit upon them.

Against the soul that has received unclean thoughts, desires the priesthood because of the vainglory that has seized it, and does not recognize the danger that follows it [the priesthood]

And Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, took the bronze censers, which those who had been burnt brought near, and put them as a covering for the altar, as a reminder to the children of Israel that no foreigner may come near who is not from the seed of Aaron to offer incense before the Lord; and so he shall not be like Korah and those who conspired with him, just as the Lord said by the hand of Moses.

Against the thought of vainglory that performs righteousness on account of human beings

You shall pursue righteousness justly, so that you may live and go in and inherit the land that the Lord your God gives you.

Against the thought of vainglory that is yoked with a saying about ascetic achievements and pulls the plough of vainglory

You shall not plough with an ox and an ass together.

Against the thought of vainglory, “Look, you are honored among all the brothers”

I am a humble person and not honored.

Against the soul that because of vainglory does not want to leave a place that is not suitable for habitation

And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we live before you is too constricted for us. Let us go to the Jordan, each man taking there one beam, and let us make for ourselves there a place to live.” And he said, “Go.”

Against the soul that, because of the vainglory that has seized it, supposes that the demons were speaking the truth when they promised it the priesthood

For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vain; their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have deceived.

Against the thought of vainglory that incites us to teach the brothers and the worldly people when we have not yet acquired health of the soul

For the sparrow has found itself a home and the turtledove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, your altars, Lord of hosts.

Against the thoughts of vainglory that render the intellect useless with all kinds of thoughts, sometimes making it the steward of God’s wealth and sometimes appointing it overseer of the brothers

Depart from me, evildoers, and I will investigate my God’s commandments.

Against the thought of vainglory that advises me sternly to withdraw from the brotherhood and to cloister myself from the brothers, supposing that they lead me astray

The proud have hidden a snare for me.

Against the thought of vainglory that compelled us to talk a lot about superfluous things—this excess becomes quickly apparent in monks who live in seclusion but who, due to vainglory, throw themselves into the affairs of the world and gladly welcome people who come to them to settle disputes they have with one another

By talking a lot you will not escape sin, but by using your lips sparingly you will be prudent.

Against the thought that advised us before we have reached stability to preside over the brothers and lead their souls in the knowledge of Christ

There is a way that seems to people to be right, but its ends lead to the depths of Hades.

Against the thought of vainglory that entices us to give up the Scriptures from then on because we have not grasped their power

Whoever answers a word before he has heard, it is a folly and a reproach to him.

Against the thought of vainglory that encourages those who are very young to settle by themselves

Let the one who acts be restrained in his pursuits; let a youth be with a holy person, and his way will be straight.

Against the thought of vainglory that advised us to give surety for the worldly people who love us when the creditor was harassing them

Do not give yourself as surety out of respect for reputation, for if they do not have the means to pay back, they will take the bed out from under you.

Against the soul that because of vainglory tells some of the secrets of the monastic life to worldly people

Speak nothing into a fool’s ears, lest he ever sneer at your wise words.

Against the thoughts that entice us to go out in the world in order to benefit those who see us

The words of crafty persons are gentle, but they strike into the depths of the bowels.

Against the demon that, concerning the great temptations that attack us openly, again persuades us to permit it [to attack]—this, as the holy prophet John told us, it does on account of vainglory; we should answer it as the blessed one answered it, saying

A weeping enemy promises everything with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit. If the enemy begs you with a loud voice, do not be persuaded, for there are seven abominations is his soul.

Against the thoughts that compel us because of vainglory to make known our illustrious way of life

Let your neighbor praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger and not your own lips.

Against the thought of vainglory that compelled us to speak when we should not and advised us to be silent when we should speak

A time to be silent and a time to speak.

Against the soul that is not convinced that Satan as well knows those who serve the Lord

The devil answered and said before the Lord, “Does Job worship the Lord for nothing? Have you not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that is his? You have blessed the works of his hands, and you have made his cattle numerous upon the land.”

Against the demon that advised us, saying, “I will make you illustrious everywhere before all people,” and pretended that it would help us

But the Lord of hosts will send dishonor upon your honor, and burning fire will be kindled against your glory.

Against the soul that loves glory from human beings more than the knowledge of Christ

All flesh is grass, and all the glory of humanity is like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower fades, but the word of our God endures forever.

To the Lord concerning thoughts of glory that persisted in us and that bring down an intellect that the demons of anger, sadness, and pride have already wounded

Heal me, Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my boast.

Against the demon that, while I was asleep at night, made me the shepherd of a flock and, during the day, interpreted the dream for me, saying, “You will be a priest, and look, those who want you will soon come after you”

They destroyed my life in a pit, and they laid a stone upon me.

Against the demon that attacked our intellect and said, “Look, soon you will be caught up to heaven” (cf. 2 Cor 12:2)—some of the brothers have thought this and have plunged into a fierce tempest and suffered shipwreck

Well have you lied against your own head, for already God’s angel has received the sentence from God to cut you in two.

Against the demon that promised us in our heart that it would through wisdom make us famous among kings and rulers

Well have you lied against your own head, for the angel of God waits, sword in hand, to cut you in two, in order to destroy you.

Against the thought of vainglory that, before doing the commandments of God, wants to teach them to the brothers

Whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Against the thought of vainglory that completely attached itself to acts of piety and made the intellect perverse

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Against the thought of vainglory that appears to us in the condition of pure prayer and likens the intellect to the form that it wants, although the intellect is invisible and formless, and depicts it [the intellect] praying to the divine—this happens to the intellect that is troubled by the passion of vainglory and comes from the demon that at the time of prayer approaches its place on the pretext that it might show what is visible to many children and women—let the one who can understand, understand

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

Against the thoughts of vainglory that endeavor through a sad appearance to reveal our fasting, as if the intellect had been set free and released from thoughts of gluttony, in order that the intellect may be bound and held captive by the thought of vainglory—the filthy demons plot to do this so that the intellect will not be able to stand and fix its gaze on God, transcending thoughts

And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

Against the thoughts of vainglory that compel the soul to speak in empty words, and that endeavor to entangle the intellect in transitory affairs, by which they set in motion in us either desire or anger, or that depict in the intellect obscene visions that spoil the condition of purity that adorns and crowns our prayer

I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Against the thoughts that come with the joy that the unclean spirits have fled from our souls

Do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Against the demon that said to me in my heart, “Look, you are proficient with the gift of healing that you have received”

When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Against the demon that advised us to acquire the priesthood through money

May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money!

Against the soul that is troubled by vainglory and desires to learn the wisdom of the Greeks

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

Against the thought of vainglory that wants to boast in the labor of the stable way of life

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Against the thought of vainglory that encourages us to persuade our relatives that if we live justly in the monastic life we will be worthy of the soul’s health and knowledge of the truth

Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

Against the thought of vainglory that advises me to do something so that I might be honored with the priesthood

And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God.

Against the thought of vainglory that encourages us to teach although we have not acquired the soul’s health or knowledge of the truth

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.

Against the thoughts of vainglory that request gifts of healing or knowledge of God

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

Against the thoughts of vainglory that seek the world and depict its glory before our eyes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world.