Julianus Pomerius

In his own words on Sirach

• Sirach 1:22

  Regarding fear, our Scripture expresses itself in these terms: "Holy is the fear of the Lord, which lasts forever and ever." But we should really clarify that this fear is to be distinguished from that other fear about which the apostle says, "In love there is no fear, but perfect love banishes fear." The apostle is referring here to a fear that prevents one from sinning when one would otherwise be inclined to sin. This fear keeps a person righteous against his will. Then, there is the other kind of fear that the prophet speaks about: "The one who is without fear cannot be justified." This refers to the person who is constantly increasing in love. So, on the one hand, there are those who fear to do evil when they know they will be punished, and there are those on the other hand who do not want to lose the righteousness that brings them such joy. Therefore, where sin is concerned, one should not nourish both fears but only that one of which it is written: "Fear has to do with punishment." For the other situations—for instance, where it is said, "The fear of God banishes sin," and, "The one who is without fear cannot be justified," and, "Holy is the fear of the Lord, which lasts forever and ever"—fear should not to be counted among the vices but should above all be regarded as the opponent of vices.

  ON THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE 3:31.3

• Sirach 10:13

  Who could say anything clearer or of more value? "Pride is the beginning," it says, not simply of some but "of every sin," in order to emphasize how pride is, in itself, the cause of all sins. Not only is it in itself sin, but also no sin could have been, can be or ever will be committed without pride. Every sin, in effect, is nothing other than contempt of God, leading one to trample on his commandments. And what, other than pride, inspires people to this contempt? Indeed, in the devil it showed itself to be the cause of eternal damnation, and from the angel that he was he became (precisely) the devil. And it was he who, knowing that he was cast out of heaven for the sin of pride and banished to this dark prison, and corrupting the one whom God had created innocent, with serpentine cunning he insinuated the vice of pride in humankind. He was certain that once pride, the root of every evil, was accepted, the man would then easily commit all sins, which germinate only in the proud soul.

  ON THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE 3:2.1