Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews

^5. And why do you wonder if [it is so] in these instances? For you will find the same also in all others. If you injure, you are injured; if you are injured, then you are uninjured; if you punish, then you have not punished another, but hast punished yourself. For “he that loves iniquity,” it is said, “hates his own soul.” Do you see that thou dost not injure, but art injured? Therefore also Paul says, “Why do ye not rather take wrong?” Do you see that this is not to be wronged?

When you insult, then are you insulted. And most persons partly know this: as when they say one to another, “Let us go away, do not disgrace yourself.” Why? Because the difference is great between you and him: for however much you insult him, he accounts it a credit. Let us consider this in all cases, and be above insults. I will tell you how.

Should we have a contest with him who wears the purple, let us consider that in insulting him, we insult ourselves, for we become worthy to be disgraced. Tell me, what do you mean? When you are a citizen of Heaven, and hast the Philosophy that is above, do you disgrace yourself with him “that minds earthly things”? For though he be in possession of countless riches, though he be in power, he does not as yet know the good that is therein. Do not in insulting him, insult yourself. Spare yourself, not him. Honor yourself, not him. Is there not some Proverb such as this, He that honors; honors himself? With good reason: for he honors not the other, but himself. Hear what a certain wise man says, “Do honor to your soul according to the dignity thereof.” “According to the dignity thereof,” what is this? If he have defrauded (it means), do not thou defraud; if he has insulted, do not thou insult.