An Unclean Soul Can Neither Give Nor Receive Spiritual Knowledge

But, as we have already said, it is impossible for a beginner either to understand this or to teach it. If someone is not able to receive it, how can he be fit to pass it on to another? And if he has had the nerve to teach anything on these matters, his words will most certainly be idle and useless. They will reach only the ears of his hearers and will not be able to touch their hearts, since they were spoken in sheer idleness and fruitless vanity. They do not come from the treasure of a good conscience, but from the empty impudence of boasting. For it is impossible for an impure soul, however earnestly it gives itself to reading, to gain spiritual knowledge. No one pours rich ointment, or fine honey, or any precious liquid into a dirty, stinking vessel. A jar that has once been filled with foul smells will spoil the sweetest myrrh sooner than it will take on any sweetness or charm from it, for what is pure is corrupted much more quickly than what is corrupt is purified. And so the vessel of our breast, unless it has first been cleansed of all the foul stains of sin, will not be worthy to receive that blessed ointment of which the prophet says: “Like the ointment on the head, which ran down on the beard of Aaron, which ran down to the edge of his garment.” Nor will it keep undefiled that spiritual knowledge and the words of Scripture, which are “sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.” “For what share does righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what agreement does light have with darkness? Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial?” [a]