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ABRAHAM: Of all faults there is one source and origin, but different
names are assigned to the passions and corruptions in accordance with the
character of that part, or member, if I may so call it, which has been
injuriously affected in the soul: As is sometimes also shown by the case of
bodily diseases, in which though the cause is one and the same, yet there
is a division into different kinds of maladies in accordance with the
nature of the member affected. For when the violence of a noxious moisture
has seized on the body's citadel, i.e., the head, it brings about a feeling
of headache, but when it affects the ears or eyes, it passes into the
malady of earache or ophthalmia: when it spreads to the joints and the
extremities of the hands it is called the gout in the joints or hands; but
when it descends to the extremities of the feet, its name is changed and it
is termed podagra: and the noxious moisture which is originally one and the
same is described by as many names as there are separate members which it
affects. In the same way to pass from visible to invisible things, we
should hold that the tendency to each fault exists in the parts and, if I
may use the expression, members of our soul. And, as some very wise men
have laid down that its powers are threefold, either what is logiko'n,
i.e., reasonable, or thumiko'n, i.e., irascible, or epi thumhtiko'n, i.e.,
subject to desire, is sure to be troubled by some assault. When then the
force of noxious passion takes possession of anyone by reason of these
feelings, the name of the fault is given to it in accordance with the part
affected. For if the plague of sin has infested its rational parts, it will
produce the sins of vainglory, conceit, envy, pride, presumption, strife,
heresy. If it has wounded the irascible feelings, it will give birth to
rage, impatience, sulkiness, accidie, pusillanimity and cruelty. If it has
affected that part which is subject to desire, it will be the parent of
gluttony, fornication, covetousness, avarice, and noxious and earthly
desires.
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