De Sacrificiis Abelis Et Caini

Behold the practiser of contemplation, Joseph, cooking it, when, "Esau is in a moment discovered to be fainting." [*](Genesis xxv, 29. ) For wickedness and passion are the foundations of those who love themselves, supported on which the man, when he sees them defeated and extinguished by reason which has refuted them, does not unnaturally relax his exertions and his strength.