Letter 367

To Aristokles the Monk. You seem to be divided against yourself, speaking good things but doing evil, raging like the dogs, and barking at everyone unsparingly and without shame. But now at least correct yourself, brother, so that your deeds may not be at war with your solemn profession [the monastic vow].

Διστάσιάζειν ἔοικας πρὸς ἑαυτόν, καλὰ μὲν λαλῶν, κακὰ δὲ πράττων, καὶ λυττῶν ὥσπερ οἱ κύνες, καὶ πάντας καθυλακτῶν ἀφειδῶς, καὶ ἀπερυθριάστως. Ἀλλὰ νῦν γοῦν διόρθωσαι, ἀδελφέ, ὅπως μὴ διαμάχωνται τὰ ἔργα σου τῷ σεμνῷ ἐπαγγέλματι.