Sorry for the lack of updates in the past two months. Real life gets in the way sometimes. With this post, I am bringing forth a collection of sayings from John the Baptist (Yuhana) from the Mandaean holy book, the “Ginza Rabba”. These are taken from the English translated version by Prof. Dr. Qais Mughashghash Al-Saadi and Hamed Mughashghash Al-Saadi. I do highly recommend finding a copy of the book. It can be difficult at times to get, and expensive. There are cheaper editions available using older translations.

Each statement from 1 – 25 begins “The apex of” and a truth follows. 26 and later are stated as such.

  1. truthfulness is not to distort speech, so do not lie or deceive others.
  2. faith is to believe that the Great Hayyi is the most constant in all virtues.
  3. integrity is to judge yourself.
  4. gnosis is not to be controlled by your temptations.
  5. knowledge is not to put yourself in jeopardy.
  6. wisdom is not to be playful among the believers.
  7. hope is to learn and teach the words of your Lord.
  8. instruction is not to abandon the recommendations of virtuous and pious teachers.
  9. your resolution is not to change your word.
  10. prayer and glorification is not to love sleep.
  11. charity is to feed the hungry and to give drink to the thirsty.
  12. your clemency is not to be an ogre.
  13. humility is to keep mentioning the name of your Lord.
  14. your righteousness is to reform yourself and to accept the advice of wise men.
  15. moderation is not to say what you do not know.
  16. your happiness is to be respected by the people.
  17. discretion is to think before you speak.
  18. chivalry is not to seize what is not yours, even if you desire it.
  19. your purity is to purify yourself.
  20. your virtues is to control yourself.
  21. perfection is not to be arrogant.
  22. compassion is to have mercy for the poor and those who are persecuted.
  23. praise is to praise the place from which you came.
  24. remembrance is not to forget death.
  25. love is to collaborate with your brethren in loving your Lord.
  26. The just person is like a scale.
  27. The just person is like an honest judge.
  28. The believer is a successful farmer.
  29. The intellectual is an organized builder.
  30. The prudent person is a masterful artist.
  31. The steadfast person is like a mountain.
  32. He who doubles his prayers and glorifications will see double his profits.
  33. The almsgiver is like a table laid out for the poor and the needy.
  34. Clemency is like a delicious fruit.
  35. The humble person is like abundant water.
  36. The pure person is like a spring of fresh water.
  37. The pious person is like a well-polished mirror in which faces can be easily distinguished.
  38. Compassion is like the sun, for both the pious and the impious.
  39. Mercy is like a gentle breeze that blows against all doors.
  40. He who is full of truth is like a righteous father who brings provisions for his sons and his scions.
  41. You, the chosen and righteous ones: keep yourselves away from deceit, sins, falsehood, lying, falsity, and from evil. Keep away from temptation, cruelty, and ignorance. Do not blaspheme and do not engage in adultery. Avoid envy and hatred, resentment and malice, and shamelessness.
  42. Chosen ones, I warn you against contemptuous faces, and do not engage in drunkenness or wrongdoing; these are all from Satan.
  43. Deceit is like a hole in the ground, covered over with straw.
  44. Sin is like a rotten pomegranate.
  45. The liar is an enemy in the guise of a friend.
  46. Trickery is a sea in which ships are lost.
  47. Evil is a tree of bitter fruit.
  48. Cruelty is gravel.
  49. Wrath is fire borne by the wind.
  50. An arrogant wise man is an unpolished mirror.
  51. Wisdom without discipline is a horse without a saddle.
  52. Wisdom without insight is a ship without a sailor.
  53. A quiet voice and balanced speech are the priorities of wisdom.
  54. Do not fear the wise man, even if you do not agree with him.
  55. The ignorant, through his ignorance, exposes himself to the sword.
  56. The ignorant dances while the bond is around his neck.
  57. Wisdom for the ignorant is like a mirror for a blind person.
  58. Many ignorant people who are silent are thought to be wise.
  59. Woe to those who say, but do not do! Woe to those who do the opposite of what they say, and for those who hide the opposite of what they reveal!

Featured picture is a Russian icon from the 1700s.

bP

Published by bP

A gnostic wanderer