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THEN MOSES: True discretion, said he, is only secured by true humility.
And of this humility the first proof is given by reserving everything (not
only what you do but also what you think), for the scrutiny of the elders,
so as not to trust at all in your own judgment but to acquiesce in their
decisions in all points, and to acknowledge what ought to be considered
good or bad by their traditions. And this habit will not only teach a
young man to walk in the right path through the true way of discretion, but
will also keep him unhurt by all the crafts and deceits of the enemy. For a
man cannot possibly be deceived, who lives not by his own judgment but
according to the example of the elders, nor will our crafty foe be able to
abuse the ignorance of one who is not accustomed from false modesty to
conceal all the thoughts which rise in his heart, but either checks them or
suffers them to remain, in accordance with the ripened judgment of the
elders. For a wrong thought is enfeebled at the moment that it is
discovered: and even before the sentence of discretion has been given, the
foul serpent is by the power of confession dragged out, so to speak, from
his dark under-ground cavern, and in some sense shown up. and sent away in
disgrace. For evil thoughts will hold sway in us just so long as they are
hidden in the heart: and that you may gather still more effectually the
power of this judgment I will tell you what Abbot Serapion did, and what
he used often to tell to the younger brethren for their edification.
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