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It would take too long to discuss or argue every single case, or to sift through the whole of the Law for precise witness against such greed. Sufficient to say, greed is a deadly deed. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. You shall not murder. A homicide may not stand beside Christ. Even 'He who bates his brother is to be labeled murderer.' Or, 'He who does not love his brother dwells in death.' therefore how much more guilty is he, who has stained his own hands in the blood of the sons of God, those very children whom only just now he has won for himself in this distant land by means of our feeble encouragement.

Saint Patrick#6

FaithMoralitySinGreedViolence

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author argues that greed and violence against Christians are deadly sins that exclude one from Christ.
In plain terms
Greed and killing are deadly sins; harming God's children makes one guilty before Christ.
What can you take from it?
Violence and greed separate people from spiritual life.

Where it applies

  • moral instruction
  • confronting sin
  • protecting the faithful

Putting it to work

  • condemn greed
  • warn against violence
  • teach moral boundaries

Questions to consider

  • What separates us from the divine?
  • How serious is greed?

Another view

The connection between hatred and murder assumes a specific moral framework.

More from Saint Patrick

  1. I do not overreach myself, for I too have my part to play with 'those whom he has called to himself and predestined' to teach the gospel in the midst of consid…

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  2. Can it be out of the kindness of my heart that I carry out such a labor of mercy on a people who once captured me when they wrecked my father's house and carri…

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. Because of all this, I am at a loss to know whether to weep more for those they killed or those that are captured: or indeed for these men themselves whom the …

    Permalink to quote #4

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