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Chapter 6
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CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 227 the streets, those we meet; in the baths, women; in solitary places, ourselves; and, everywhere, the Word who is in all places and 'without whom nothing came into being.'s It is only in this way that a person will persevere without falling, if he considers God as everywhere present with him. Chapter 6 (34 ) We should possess wealth in a becoming manner, sharing it generously, but not mechanically nor with affectation . We should be careful, too, not to turn love of the beautiful into love of self, and into poor taste, lest someone say of us: 'His horse is worth fifteen talents, or his estate or servant or gold plate, but he himself would be expensive at three cents.' To begin with, take ornaments away from a woman , and servants from the master, and you will discover that the master differs in no way from the slaves he has bought, neither in bearing, nor in appearance, nor in voice. In fact, he is very similar to his slave in these respects. He differs from his slave in one way only, in that he is more delicate and, because of his upbringing, more susceptible to sickness. At any rate, we should repeat on every occasion tha.t most inspiring of all our doctrines, that the good man, in his prudence and uprightness, 'lays up treasure in heaven.'l He who sells his earthly possessions and gives them to the poor will find an imperishable treasure where there is neither moth nor robber.2 Such a man is truly fortunate, even if he is 8 John 1.3. 1 Cf. Mall. 6.20. 2 Cf. Matt. 19.21. 228 CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA small and weak and unimportant, and is rich indeed in the most important sort of riches. On the other hand, if it man becomes wealthier than Midas and Cinyra,3 but is unjust and arrogant-like the man who lived elegantly in purple and fine linen, yet despised Lazarus4-he is miserable, lives wretchedly, and will never find true life. (35) Wealth, in fact, seems to me like a snake; unless a person knows how to grasp it properly, dangling it without harm from just above the tip of the tail, the snake will twist about to the hand and strike. Weath, too, twisting in the grasp, whether experienced or not, can cling to the hand and bite unless a man rises superior to it and uses it with discretion; that is, to say, he may train the beast by the invocation of the Word and remain unharmed. However, in my opinion, he who possesses things of higher value is the one, and the only one, who is truly wealthy, without passing for such. A gem is not worth much, nor is silver, nor clothes, nor beauty of body; but virtue is, because it is reason translated into deeds under the guidance of the Educator. This is reason forbidding luxuriousness, stimulating independence in service of self, and singing the praises of frugality, offspring of self-control. 'Receive instruction,' Scripture says, 'and not money, and choose knowledge rather than gold. For wisdom is better than precious stones, and all that is priceless cannot be compared to it.' And, again: 'My fruit is better than gold and precious stone and silver; and my blossoms than choice silver.'5 If we must make distinctions, let the man with a fortune be considered the wealthy one, loaded down as he is with gold like a dingy purse; but the !I Cf. Plato. Laws II 660E. 4 Cf. Luke 16.19ยท24. 5 Provo 9.10.11.19. [44.222.113.28] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 11:00 GMT) CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 229 holy man is the discreet one, for discretion is the quality that maintains a properly balanced moderation between spending and giving. 'Some distribute their own goods,' it is written, 'and become richer.'6 Of such men, Scripture says: 'He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor; his justice remains forever.'7 Therefore, it is not he who possesses and retains his wealth who is wealthy, but he who gives; it is giving, not receiving that reveals the happy man. Generosity is a product of the soul; so, true wealth is in the soul. (36 ) Again, good things should be considered the possession only of the good. But the good are Christians; a man without understanding or self-control can neither perceive nor truly possess the...