Word of Instruction, translated by Dysingertag:kalvesmaki.com,2014:tan-key:evagriusGeneral keywords associated with the TAN collection for Evagrius of PontusStarted fileI have opted for the Armenian as the basic reference
system.
Knowledge (gnosis) will not be fit for a senseless person; and a rock is unhonored in a
gold ring.
Children of the wise will not please a senseless person; a foolish man denies his own
[children].
A great deal of time will not give wisdom, and many ages will not give knowledge
(gnosis).
As the current of a river hard to lay hold of, so the greed of an unjust man is
insatiable.
A worm in the wood is a remembering-past-wrongs thought in its soul.
If you would acquire love, you will receive the words of the wise and you will be eager
for peace and you will not set at naught the fruits of their womb.
An angry man will not see light and the unclean [man] will not attain it.
The gentle man drinks water of truth; to the angry man will be given the water of
falsehood.
By every watchman, the wealth of the fathers is watched over, and do not be forgetful of
the one who begot you.
The sleepy slave loses the gold in his mantle, and the drunken man [loses] his
life.
See men like fledgling vultures rising up from their nests, and at the stench of death,
coming back to earth again.
The merciful man guards his wealth, while the arrogant loses even his clothes.
Loving education you irritate your enemies, and seeking after wisdom you afflict
them.
Lawless sons scatter wealth, and the imprudent will not see the treasure of their
fathers.
The destruction of idols rejoices the just, while the same thing saddens the souls of
the unjust.
The poor share the branches of their riches, while the humble share out their
wealth.
A pursuing wolf tracks down the shepherd, and the spirit of lust [tracks down] those who
fill their belly.
The houses of the avaricious are filled with anger of beasts; and the birds of sadness
will rest in them.