Storia do Mogor 366.4.1

366.4.1

There is, however, one extraordinary thing which you have not perhaps noticed. It is that all the rules of justice have for us a contrary application; our opponents violate them, they transgress them, they act to the direct contrary of what is therein ordained. Indeed, there is a precept about rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's: 'Reddite quae sunt Caesaris Caesari' (Matt. xxii. 21). There is a precept telling us to love God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourself: 'Diliges Dominum Deum tuum ex toto corde tuo et proximum tuum sicut te ipsum' (Deut. vi. 5). There is a precept forbidding the use of lying for obtaining success in one's designs and undertakings : 'Mendacium fugies' (Exod. xxiii. 1, 7). There is a precept which enjoins doing justice to him who is entitled to it: 'Facite justitiam coram Deo' (Lev. xix.) There is a precept telling you to obey your superiors : 'Obedite praepositis vestris' (Heb. xiii. 17). There is a precept against robbing another man of his goods: 'Non furtum facies' (Exod. xx. 15), and in St. Matt. x. 19, 'ne fureres.' There is a precept against speaking ill of the poor: 'Pauperem noli calumniare' (Lev. xix. 13) ; and there is a curse pronounced by God against those by reason of whom scandal arises : 'Necesse est ut veniant scandala ; verumtamen vae homini illi per quem scandalum venit' (Vulgate, Matt, xviii. 17).