Exhortation to Martyrdom 43

Now let us show that we have longed for knowledge through works befitting knowledge. Let complete purity, free from every defilement of any sin whatever, be displayed in us. As sons of a patient God and brothers of a patient Christ, let us be patient in all that happens; “for a patient man is great in understanding, but the fainthearted is exceedingly foolish.” If one must commend oneself “with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left,” then, having commended ourselves “through glory” without being puffed up by it, let us now endure dishonor too; and if we have lived in a way that deserved good report and have been well spoken of, let us now bear the ill report of the ungodly. And if we have been admired as truthful by lovers of truth, let us now laugh at being called deceivers. Over the many dangers from which we have been rescued, many said that we were known by God; now let whoever wishes say that we are unknown, when perhaps we are the better known. So, bearing what happens, we are disciplined but not put to death, and we who rejoice seem to be sorrowful.