The Enchiridion 79

St Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430) · De fide spe et charitate · PL 40, 230–290

79 Sins Which Appear Very Trifling, are Sometimes in Reality Very Serious PL 40, 270

Again, there are some sins which would be considered very trifling, if the Scriptures did not show that they are really very serious. For who would suppose that the man who says to his brother, “Thou fool,” is in danger of hell-fire, did not He who is the Truth say so? To the wound, however, He immediately applies the cure, giving a rule for reconciliation with one’s offended brother: “Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Again, who would suppose that it was so great a sin to observe days, and months, and times, and years, as those do who are anxious or unwilling to begin anything on certain days, or in certain months or years, because the vain doctrines of men lead them to think such times lucky or unlucky, had we not the means of estimating the greatness of the evil from the fear expressed by the apostle, who says to such men, “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain”?

Quae levia videntur, esse interdum gravissima. Sunt autem quaedam quae levissima putarentur, nisi in Scripturis demonstrarentur opinione graviora. Quis enim dicentem fratri suo, Fatue, reum gehennae putaret, nisi Veritas diceret? Cui tamen vulneri subjecit continuo medicinam, praeceptum fraternae reconciliationis adjungens: mox quippe ait, Si ergo offers munus tuum ad altare, et ibi recordatus fueris, quia frater tuus habet aliquid adversum te, etc. . Aut quis aestimaret quam magnum peccatum sit, dies observare et menses et annos et tempora, sicut observant qui certis diebus sive mensibus sive annis volunt vel nolunt aliquid inchoare, eo quod secundum vanas doctrinas hominum fausta vel infausta existiment tempora; nisi hujus mali magnitudinem ex timore Apostoli pensaremus, qui talibus ait, Timeo vos, ne forte sine causa laboraverim in vobis ?

Philip Schaff (ed.), Buffalo/New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886-1889. Public domain: English translation first published 1885-1900 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series). Latin: Migne, Patrologia Latina (1844-1855), public domain; transcription from Corpus Corporum (University of Zurich).