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| Chapter VI. In this matter we must imitate David's silence and humility, so as not even to seem deserving of harm.
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Chapter VI.
In this matter we must imitate David’s silence and
humility, so as not even to seem deserving of harm.
21. What need is
there to be troubled when we hear abuse? Why do we not imitate
him who says: “I was dumb and humbled myself, and kept
silence even from good words”?55
Or did David
only say this, and not act up to it? No, he also acted up to
it. For when Shimei the son of Gera reviled him, David was
silent; and although he was surrounded with armed men he did not return
the abuse, nor sought revenge: nay, even when the son of Zeruiah
spoke to him, because he wished to take vengeance on him, David did not
permit it.56
He went on as
though dumb, and humbled; he went on in silence; nor was he disturbed,
although called a bloody man, for he was conscious of his own
gentleness. He therefore was not disturbed by insults, for he had
full knowledge of his own good works.
22. He, then, who is quickly roused by wrong makes
himself seem deserving of insult, even whilst he wishes to be shown not
to deserve it. He who despises wrongs is better off than he who
grieves over them. For he who despises them looks down on them,
as though he feels them not; but he who grieves over them is tormented,
just as though he actually felt them. E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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