And Theognis of Megara says:
"You must, to escape poverty, throw
Yourself, O Cyrnus, down from
The steep rocks into the deep sea."
On the other hand, Antiphanes, the comic poet, says, "Plutus (Wealth), when it has taken hold of those who see better than others, makes them blind." Now by the poets he is proclaimed as blind from his birth:
"And brought hhn forth blind who saw not the sun."
Says the Chalcidian Euphorion:
"Riches, then, and extravagant luxuries,
Were for men the worst training for manliness."
Wrote Euripides in Alexander:
"And it is said,
Penury has attained wisdom through misfortune;
But much wealth will capture not
Sparta alone, but every city."
"It is not then the only coin that mortals have, that which is white silver or golden, but virtue too," as Sophocles says.
CHAPTER VI.
SOME POINTS IN THE BEATITUDES.
Our holy Saviour applied poverty and riches, and the like, both to spiritual things and objects of sense. For when He said, "Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake,"[1] He clearly taught us in every circumstance to seek for the martyr who, if poor for righteousness' sake, witnesses that the righteousness which he loves is a good thing; and if he "hunger and thirst for righteousness' sake," testifies that righteousness is the best thing. Likewise he, that weeps and mourns for righteousness' sake, testifies to the best law that it is beautiful. As, then, "those that are persecuted," so also "those that hunger and thirst" for righteousness' sake, are called "blessed" by Him who approves of the true desire, which not even famine can put a stop to. And if "they
- ↑ Matt. v. 10.
