XLVIII. De Infelicitate.

XLVIII. De Infelicitate.

But the sixth image presents misfortune, because after contention, misfortune comes here, which turns away from all the good of God; for those who think they have salvation, when they do not worship God, will incur death. It is like a leprous man, having black hair; for just as leprosy is separated from the healthy and pure, so unhappiness is separated from all the virtues of God and does not shine in any clarity. But it resembles a man, because when the other creatures obedient to God show themselves to be happy, a person, through diabolical suggestion, brings unhappiness upon himself. And this also completes the darkness of excessive and numerous sins like hair; nor does it blush for the fact that it does not want to be corrected by the admonition of the wise. And yet, while he lacks proper clothing, he covers himself with broad leaves from certain herbs, because, stripped of all good and holiness, he is without the joy of salvation, surrounding himself with the instability of various vanities, and through many different behaviors, he tries to find happiness, which cannot be. He strikes his chest with his hands because his actions accuse his conscience, revealing the worst deeds of his heart, since he has no faithful hope in God, but only evil sighs amidst many troubles, which he also declares in his speech, as has been said. Therefore, the response of beatitude is challenged; and so that people do not remain in it, they are taught.