Eagerness is not enough for success in good works;
guidance of the reason is necessary. Reason enables us to concentrate our
efforts on those works which most accord with our capabilities and
strength. Reason helps us to choose the way of action which will lead to the
best results. In the patristic texts, reason is also called discretion, or the
gift of reasoning. The highest degree of reason is wisdom that
integrates knowledge, experience and the ability to see the spiritual essence
of appearances.
With a lack of reason, even well-intended actions
and words may result in bad consequences. St. Antony the Great had this to say about
it: "Many virtues are beautiful but sometimes ineptitude or utter
excitement may cause harm…reason is the virtue which teaches and prepares a man
to walk the straight way and not to skew at the partings. If we walk the
straight way, then we will never be lured by enemies, neither from to right, to
excessive abstinence, nor to the left, to lack of diligence, carelessness and
idleness. Reason is the eye and lantern of the soul…With reason, a man will
review his desires, words and acts and give up all which remove him from
God" (Philokalia). The Lord Jesus Christ spoke about reason in the
following two parables: <see next chapter>
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