VII. Verba obdurationis

VII. Verba obdurationis

The fourth image was like a dense smoke in the shape of a man, and it had no human limbs, except for the fact that large, dark eyes appeared in it, and it neither ascended nor descended. It was not moving this way or that, but remained fixed in the aforementioned darkness. And he said: I have created nothing, nor have I established anything. So why would I labor for anyone, and tear myself apart? But I won't do this. I won’t be troubled by anything more than what I have to work for myself. God, who created all things, will judge them and take care of them. For if I were to indulge in idle chatter, sweetly prying into other matters, what good would that do me? But neither good nor evil would be of any benefit to anyone. If I were to have such a passionate heart within me that I could find no peace, what would I then be? What kind of life would I have if I responded to the voices of everyone rejoicing and weeping? I know myself, and let each person know themselves.