|
HOME | GREEK LANGUAGE | LIBRARIES | BLOG | HELP | SEARCH | FREEWARE | BOOKSTORE |
|
|
Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson.
Clement of Alexandria in Print
|
This Part: 128 Pages
Page 60
So it is said that we ought to go washed to sacrifices and prayers, clean and bright; and that this external adornment and purification are practiced for a sign. Now purity is to think holy thoughts. Further, there is the image of baptism, which also was handed down to the poets from Moses as follows:--
"And she having drawn water, and wearing on her body clean clothes." [2893]
It is Penelope that is going to prayer:--
"And Telemachus,
Having washed his hands in the hoary sea, prayed to Athene." [2894]
It was a custom of the Jews to wash frequently after being in bed. It was then well said,--
"Be pure, not by washing of water, but in the mind."
For sanctity, as I conceive it, is perfect pureness of mind, and deeds, and thoughts, and words too, and in its last degree sinlessness in dreams.
And sufficient purification to a man, I reckon, is thorough and sure repentance. If, condemning ourselves for our former actions, we go forward, after these things taking thought, [2895] and divesting our mind both of the things which please us through the senses, and of our former transgressions.
[2893] Homer, Odyss., iv. 750, 760; xvii. 48, 58.
[2894] Odyss., ii. 261.
[2895] Explaining metanoeo etymologically.
|
Clement of Alexandria Home Page
Elpenor's Greek Forum : Post a question / Start a discussion |
Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/clement-alexandria/stromata-3.asp?pg=60
