LISTEN TO ME, YOU BLIND AND MORTAL MEN - Algerius of Naples

LISTEN TO ME, YOU BLIND AND MORTAL MEN - Algerius of Naples

Listen to me, you blind and mortal men.
What is hotter than the fire prepared for you?
What is colder than your own heart, which is yet in darkness and has no light at all (Job 15)?
What is harder and more confused and restless than your life?
What is more ignoble than your age?

Tell me, my dear people, what country or home is sweeter than the heavenly?
What treasure is greater than eternal Life (2 Cor. 5:1)?
And who are our parents and friends except those alone who keep the Word of God?
Where are greater joy, riches, and honor, than in heaven?

Tell me, you people who are ignorant, is not all learning given to know God, whom if we do not know in truth all our labor, watching and exertion, yes, all our undertakings are expended to no purpose.
- Algerius of Naples

The place is indeed hard and severe for the guilty and evildoers;
but to the innocent and righteous it is very pleasant and sweet; hence issues honey; hence flows the heavenly drink; here wells up milk; here springs forth the abundance of all good things.
- Algerius of Naples