n6 WORKS OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. [HOMILY XIII.
est horsehair about their own naked bodies, and
go with those tender soles unsandaled, and will
lie upon a bed of leaves : nay more, that they
watch the greater part of the night, and that
they take no heed of perfumes nor of any other
of their old delights, but will even let their head,
once so carefully dressed, go without special
care, with the hair just plainly and simply bound
up, so as not to fall into unseemliness. And
their only meal is in the evening, a meal not
even of herbs nor of bread, but of flour and
beans and pulse and olives and figs. They spin
without intermission, and labor far harder than
their handmaids at home. What more? they
will take upon them to wait upon women who
are sick, carrying their beds, and washing their
feet. Nay, many of them even cook. So great
is the power of the flame of Christ ; so far does
their zeal surpass their very nature.
However, I demand nothing like this of you,
seeing ye have a mind to be outstripped by
women. Yet at least, if there be any tasks not
too laborious, at least perform these : restrain
the rude hand, and the incontinent eye. What
is there, tell me, so hard, what so difficult? Do
what is just and right, wrong no man, be ye poor
or rich, shopkeepers or hired servants ; for un
righteousness may extend even to the poor. Or
see ye not how many broils these engage in, and
turn all things upside down? Marry freely, and
have children. Paul also gave charge to such,
to such he wrote. Is that struggle I spoke of
too great, and the rock too lofty, and its top too
nigh unto Heaven, and art thou unable to attain
to such an height? At least then lay hold on
lesser things, and aim at those which are lower.
Hast thou not courage to get rid of thine own
riches? At least then forbear to seize on the
things of others, and to do them wrong. Art
thou unable to fast? At least then give not thy
self to self-indulgence. Art thou unable to lie
upon a bed of leaves? Still, prepare not for
yourselves couches inlaid with silver ; but use a
couch and coverings formed not for display, but
for refreshment ; not couches of ivory. Make
thyself small. Why fill thy vessel with over
whelming cargoes? If thou be lightly equipped,
thou shalt have nothing to fear, no envy, no rob
bers, no liers in wait. For indeed thou art not
so rich in money as thou art in cares. Thou
aboundest not so much in possessions, as in
anxieties and in perils, "which bring in many
temptations and lusts." (i Tim. vi. 9.) These
things they endure, who desire to gain great
possessions. I say not, minister unto the sick ;
yet, at least, bid thy servant do it. Seest
thou then how that this is no toilsome task? No,
for how can it be, when tender damsels surpass
us by so great a distance? Let us be ashamed
of ourselves, I entreat you ; . for in worldly
matters, to be sure, we in no point yield to
them, neither in wars, nor in games ; but in the
spiritual contest they get the advantage of us,
and are the first to seize the prize, and soar
higher, like so many eagles :
l
whilst we, like
jackdaws, are ever living in the steam and smoke ;
for truly is it the business of jackdaws, and of
greedy dogs, to be setting one s thoughts upon
caterers and cooks. Hearken about the women
of old ; they were great characters, great women
and admirable ; such were Sarah, Rebekah, Ra
chel, Deborah, and Hannah ; and such there
were also in the days of Christ. Yet did they
in no case outstrip the men, but occupied the
second rank. But now it is the very contrary ;
women outstrip and eclipse us. How contempti
ble ! What a shame is this ! We hold the place
of the head, and are surpassed by the body. We
are ordained to rule over them ; not merely that
we may rule, but that we may rule in goodness
also ; for he that ruleth, ought especially to rule
in this respect, by excelling in virtue ; whereas
if he is surpassed, he is no longer ruler.
2
Per
ceive ye how great is the power of Christ s com
ing? how He dissolved the curse? For indeed
there are more virgins than before amongwomen,
there is more modesty in those virgins, and there
are more widows. No woman would lightly utter
so much as an unseemly word. Wherefore then,
tell me, dost thou use filthy speech? For tell
me not that they were virgins in despondency or
despair.
The sex is fond of ornament, and it has this
failing. Yet even in this you husbands surpass
them, who pride yourselves even upon them, as
your own proper ornament ; for I do not think
that the wife is so ostentatious of her own jewels,
as the husband is of those of his wife. He is
not so proud of his own golden girdle, as he is
of his wife s wearing jewels of gold. So that
even of this you are the causes, who light the
spark and kindle up the flame. But what is
more, it is not so great a sin in a woman as in a
man. Thou art ordained to regulate her ; in
every way thou claimest to have the preemi
nence. Show her then in this also, that thou
takest no interest in this costliness of hers, by
thine own apparel. It is more suitable for a
woman to adorn herself, than for a man. If
then thou escape not the temptation, how shall
she escape it? They have moreover their share
of vainglory, but this is common to them with
men. They are in a measure passionate, and
this again is common to them with men. But
as to those things wherein they excel, these are
1
[This passage is so like a passage in one of Pindar s Nemean
odes that some have thought Chrysostom must have had that in
mind. Find. Nem. 3. 138: eerri & cuerbs WKV<; ec Treravois, o? <Aa-
(3ei/ alv|;a, T)A60e /neTanaio/u.ei OS, Sn<l>oi.vbv aypav ttoaiv /cpayerai Se
KoAoioi TdTreti a vefj.oi>Tai. G. A.]
2
[Compare Carlyle s lecture on Cromwell and Napoleon in
Heroes and Hero-Worship. G. A.]