XIX.  But you have to live in the midst of public affairs, and are stained by them; and it would be a terrible thing to waste this mercy.  The answer is simple.  Flee, if you can, even from the forum, along with the good company, making yourself the wings of an eagle, or, to speak more suitably, of a dove…for what have you to do with Cæsar or the things of Cæsar?…until you can rest where there is no sin, and no blackening, and no biting snake in the way to hinder your godly steps.  Snatch your soul away from the world; flee from Sodom; flee from the burning; travel on without turning back, lest you should be fixed as a pillar of salt. Gen. xix. 26.  Escape to the Mountain lest you be destroyed with the plain.  But if you are already bound and constrained by the chain of necessity, reason thus with yourself; or rather let me reason thus with you.  It is better both to attain the good and to keep the purification.  But if it be impossible to do both it is surely better to be a little stained with your public affairs than to fall altogether short of grace; just as I think it better to undergo a slight punishment from father or master than to be put out of doors; and to be a little beamed upon than to be left in total darkness.  And it is the part of wise men to choose, as in good things the greater and more perfect, so in evils the lesser and lighter.  Wherefore do not overmuch dread the purification.  For our success is always judged by comparison with our place in life by our just and merciful Judge; and often one who is in public life and has had small success has had a greater reward than one who in the enjoyment of liberty has not completely succeeded; as I think it more marvellous for a man to advance a little in fetters, than for one to run who is not carrying any weight; or to be only a little spattered in walking through mud, than to be perfectly clean when the road is clean.  To give you a proof of what I have said:—Rahab the harlot was justified by one thing alone, her hospitality, Josh. vi. 25; James ii. 25. though she receives no praise for the rest of her conduct; and the Publican was exalted by one thing, his humility, Luke xviii. 14. though he received no testimony for anything else; so that you may learn not easily to despair concerning yourself.