Sentences of Sextus

Maxims of the Christian sage — on wisdom, the body, the soul, prayer, almsgiving, and the love of God.

1A faithful man is an elect man.

2An elect man is a man of God.

3He that is worthy of God is a god among men, and the son of God.

4It is the power of God which liveth in the wise man.

5The wise man's mind is the mirror of God.

6Honour ye what is like God, by living the way the wise man liveth.

7Better is a man without anything than many possessions without God.

8Sell ye thy possessions, and give them to the poor; then come and follow Me. Ye shall have a treasure in the heavens.

9Whatsoever thou dost not possess, do not give. The man that hath not, can give nothing.

10He that hath the gift of giving — let him give. He that hath the gift of teaching — let him teach. He that hath the gift of healing — let him heal. So let each man use the gift which he hath received, that the body of the Lord may be edified.

11Pray that thou mayest be able to help others. Pray that thou mayest be free from anger. Pray that thou mayest love God.

12Worship God by means of mind. Worship God by means of works. Worship God by means of words. Worship God in spirit and in truth.

13Better is silence than vain speech. Better is hearing than speaking. The wise man speaketh few words; he listeneth much.

14When thou hast eaten — give thanks. When thou hast slept — give thanks. When thou hast risen — give thanks. Let thy whole life be a giving of thanks unto God.

15Despise not the body. The body is the temple of God; honour it as such. Yet make not the body thine idol; for the spirit is greater than the body.

16Cleave unto thy wife; love her. Teach thy children; rebuke them with kindness. Honour thy parents; care for them in their old age. Let thy household be a little Church.

17Be ashamed of nothing that is true. Speak the truth always; and let thy yea be yea, and thy nay nay. He that lieth, lieth against the truth, which is God.

18Be patient. Be merciful. Be longsuffering. Forgive as thou hast been forgiven. Bless them that curse thee; do good to them that hate thee; pray for them that despitefully use thee.

19Choose ye to suffer rather than to do wrong. The suffering passeth; the wrong abideth. The body is wounded for a season; but the soul is wounded for ever.

20Glory be unto God, the source of all wisdom. Glory be unto Christ, the wisdom of God. Glory be unto the Spirit, the giver of wisdom. Forever and ever. Amen.