For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable:
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Cyprian of Carthage
AD 258
Discipline is the guardian of hope, the bond of faith, the guide on the way of salvation, the stimulus and nourishment of a good nature, the teacher of virtue. It makes one remain always in Christ and live unceasingly in God, allowing one to attain the heavenly promises and the divine rewards. - "The Dress of Virgins 1.1"
What person, might I ask, who is living badly and hears the apostle say, "If anyone destroys God"s temple, God will destroy him," if he is not converted in this life, could dare to assure himself of a hope of future pardon? Who would not fall trembling to the ground? Who would not hasten to penitence with a humble spirit, before the end of this present life? The apostle cries out, "If someone destroys God"s temple, God will destroy him," and the vain person seduces himself with an extremely perverse thought, saying, "Even if I violate God"s temple and live badly until the end, I will be saved." Is not the apostle speaking of such people when he says, "Let us do evil that good may result (and their condemnation is just)"? It is not these that sacred Scripture calls unhappy and their hope completely vain when it says, "The one who disdains wisdom and discipline is unhappy. Their hope is vain, and their labor without fruit." Salvation will not be given, therefore, to the wicked but to the...
