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JuliusScipio — Dear Theophilus, Expect no Gentleness
Published: 2012-02-06 23:17:47 +0000 UTC; Views: 174; Favourites: 4; Downloads: 2
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Dear Theophilus,Expect no gentleness in the voices of others,
Bless it when it comes.
Friend, sharper than the teeth of serpents
The words of progeny, sharp the word of a stranger who has no
History with you, sharp the words not spoken aloud
But communicated with eyes
Which narrow or raise in turn which
Come from Outremer, reports and rumors
Which cause a stir.
Be content with silence, friend,
Or with bearing the weary crossbar of the spoken word
For it comes with few warnings: the opening of a mouth,
The breathing in, the formulation of sentences.
The weight of words- the bricks which bury, those stones
Which tip the scales of time, send tumbling the minutes screaming.
Friend, pray for silence, for words break the minds of men.
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Comments: 6
A truer statement never spoken. At the very least, some concept of "walking a mile in somebody else's shoes" needs to be learned.
Having read this, I'm a little leery of pointing out that sentences is spelt wrong.
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Hahaha, no worries. Thanks for telling me! Earnestness is always welcome.
*fixes it*
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This is very nice. It's very reflective of those numerous proverbs (in Proverbs and Wisdom) that tell 'the wise will keep silent if he must, for words sow discord.'
Likewise, "he taught us these things by His deeds, that those who are just may be kind."
A very excellent reflection.
When I read the title, I was worried that I was walking into something pessimistic, but I was pleasantly surprised. I wish you the best for your writing, and I highly recommend looking at the Old Testament for reflections on these very real difficulties and virtues that you're writing about.
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Thank you for your comment. You have no idea how much the give and take of reader and writer rejuvenates my soul.
God works in ways that are mysterious but also quite amusing- I just left Old Testament class. I adore the Psalms and the Proverbs. (Wisdom... Sirach? If I had gotten 'round to buying the Oxford Bible for my class I would have it... ^^')
I'm a little surprised you found it so. For me... it's a mix, perhaps leaning towards the pessimistic. All the poems to "Theophilus" are a little that way. But with your fresh eyes, I think you see the truth closer than I do here- it isn't cheerful, but I suppose it is more uplifting than I had thought.
Thank you for your wishes. Prayers go with you!
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Well, it's my pleasure. I write a lot myself and get some comments but not many. So I'm always happy to leave a comment on something that catches my eye.
I think it's a big loss that you're missing the book of Sirach. Many people complain about it, but it's probably because they never read it or read it in context of other Wisdom Literature. It's a beautiful work, and one that offers great insight to advanced Jewish Theology (by 2nd century BC, maybe 1st).
Now, this isn't to say I found your reflection entirely clear:
-though you identify that the glare of a stranger can hurt, there is far greater suffering from betrayal from a friend.
-to condemn speaking is perhaps a bit to far. Calling them "bricks that bury" is to also to deny what else wisdom says, namely that "the lips of the just man heal, but the fool sows discord." Or, "wisdom is a stream that replenishes" and "the words of the just lead to understanding," and like words.
We should be careful with our words, patience with ourselves and others, but not submit to temerity and smallness of heart. As Ecclesiastes says, there is a time and season for everything.
I hope that helps.
If it's also worthwhile, I'm working on two pieces that may be of interest to you. The first is on "God's Word, Human words" which reflects on wisdom literature and how it's communicated through human words (as in Scripture). The second will be on original sin.
I have other works on Scripture (and Tradition) that you may find fruitful for sources (like Augustine, Bernard of Clairvaux) of spiritual reflection.
Thanks again for your time,
M
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Augustine is like a father to me.
Thank you, friend. I look forward to reading them.
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