VIII. Concerning Long-Suffering, Simplicity, Meekness, and Patience.

Be slow to wrath; for such a one is very prudent, since "he that is hasty of spirit is a very fool."¹ Be merciful; for "blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."² Be sincere, quiet, good, "trembling at the word of God."³ Thou shalt not exalt thyself, as did the Pharisee; for "every one that exalteth himself shall be abased,"⁴ and "that which is of high esteem with man is abomination with God."⁵ Thou shalt not entertain confidence in thy soul; for "a confident man shall fall into mischief."⁶ Thou shalt not go along with the foolish, but with the wise and righteous; for "he that walketh⁷ with wise men shall be wise, but he that walketh with the foolish shall be known."⁸ Receive the afflictions that fall upon thee with an even mind, and the chances of life without over-much sorrow, knowing that a reward shall be given to thee by God, as was given to Job and to Lazarus.⁹