If…
“If you cannot speak to the malicious ones…”
”Then serves them silently and in humility, without ever losing hope.”
What you need to know if you are going to be a judge of a criminal
“If that judge himself has perceived that he is every bit a criminal as the man who stands before him and for that crime of the man who stands before him “(415)
Zosima says that one should stay resolute and not doubt in the power of this
What is heavenly light?
“And though you shine, but see that human beings are saved not even by that, stay resolute and not doubt in the power of heavenly light.”
“If you are able to take upon yourself the crime of the man who stands before you and is judged by your heart…”
”Then lose no time, but do so and suffer for him yourself, while letting him go without reproach”
What you do when the law appoints you as the judge.
”Act to the Best of your Ability in the same spirit,”(415) as you would if you had the full qualifications.
Men love and honor these
What are martyrs?
“The human race fails to accept its prophets and does them to death, but men love their martyrs and honour those whom they have martyred.”
“If the law itself appoints you as his judge…”
”The act even then to the best of your ability in this same spirit, for he will go away and condemn itself even more harshly than your judgement”
Knowing when it is not the season for judging.
“But if with your kiss he departs unfeeling and laughing at you,”(415), meaning if he is not open to your criticism do not judge.
Zosima says that these are gifts from God (two answers)
What are spiritual joy and the frenzy to love the Earth and all things?
“Do not seek any reward, for you already have a great reward upon this earth: your spiritual Joy, which only the righteous man acquires. Be afraid neither of the highly placed nor of the strong, but be sage and always inwardly well-apportioned. Know the limit, know the untiringly, insatiably, love, love all creatures, love all things, seek your joy and love those tears of yours. As for this frenzy, be not ashamed of it, cherish it, for it is the gift of God, a great gift that is vouchsafed not to the many, but to the chosen.”