約伯倫理 第 999 章

13. Let the eye refuse to serve the heart that covets unlawful things. Temptation is sometimes drawn in through the eyes, sometimes conceived within. He who uses the outer eye carelessly is justly blinded in the inner eye. — Behold, again through the guardianship of inner vigour he returns to the discipline of the outward members, so that if perhaps the heart should covet anything unlawful, the eye, pressed by the mastery of discipline, might refuse to look. For just as temptation is often drawn in through the eyes, so sometimes that which is conceived within compels the eyes without to serve it. For very often some object is beheld with an innocent mind, but by the very gaze the soul is pierced by the sword of covetousness.

For, as we have already said for example's sake, David did not look diligently upon Uriah's wife because he had coveted her, but rather he coveted her because he had looked incautiously. And it happens, by the examination of just retribution, that he who uses the outer eye carelessly is not unjustly blinded in the inner eye. But often covetousness holds dominion within, and the enticed soul, in the manner of tyranny, demands that the bodily senses serve its own uses, and compels the eyes to serve its pleasures, and, so to speak, opens the windows of light unto the darkness of blindness.

Whence holy men, when they feel themselves assailed by sinister delight, restrain, by the mastery of discipline, those very lights through which the appearance of a form enters the mind, lest sight, having played the pander, should serve a wicked thought. And if this ever is neglected to be subtly guarded, the uncleanness of thought at once passes over to action. Whence also it is soon added: