"Although we fall into sin, let us not despair. On the other hand, let us not be too casual about it afterward, but, when we transgress, let us afflict our minds and not merely talk about it. For I know many who say indeed that they bewail their sins, but do nothing of account. They fast and wear rough garments; but after money are more eager than hucksters, are more the prey of anger than wild beasts, and take more pleasure in detraction than others do in commendations. These things are not repentance, these things are the semblance and shadow only of repentance, not repentance itself. Wherefore in the case of these persons too it is well to say, Take heed "lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices;" for some he destroys through sins, others through repentance; but these in yet another way, by suffering them to gain no fruit from repentance. For when he could not destroy them by direct attack, he came another way, increasing their labors, while robbing them of the fruits, and persuading them that they had successfully accomplished all they had to do, so that they neglected what remained.

 

"We may not then fruitlessly afflict ourselves. Praiseworthy indeed is even that which some of you now do: you fast and lie on the ground and in ashes. But these avail nothing except true contrition and forgiveness is added. God has showed how He remits sins. Why then do you forsake that path, and pave another for yourselves. In ancient times, the Ninevites sinned (Jonah), and they did the things that you are doing now. Let us see however what helped them. For as in the case of the sick, physicians apply many remedies. Yet the man of understanding considers not merely that the sick person has tried this and that medicine, but what benefited him; such must also be our inquiry here. What then was it that availed those barbarians in Jonah? They applied fasting to the wounds, yes, applied extreme fasting, lying on the ground too, putting on sackcloth and ashes, and lamentations. They also applied a change of life. Let us then see which of these things made them whole. And how shall we know? If we come to the Physician, if we ask Him, for He will not hide it from us, but will even eagerly disclose it. That none may be unaware, the prophet has even set down in writing the medicine that restored them. What then is this? "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it." (Jonah 3:10) He did not say, He saw their fasting and sackcloth and ashes. And I say not this to overturn fasting, (God forbid!) but to exhort you that with fasting you do that which is better than fasting, the abstaining from evil.

 

"David also sinned. (2Sa 12:17ff.) Let us see then how he too repented. Three days he sat in ashes. But this he did not for the sin's sake, but for the child's, who was suffering with that affliction. But he dealt with his sin by other means, by humbleness, contrition of heart, compunction of soul, by falling into the same sin no more, by remembering it always, by bearing thankfully everything that befell him, by sparing those who grieved him, by refusing to repay those who conspired against him; yes, and even preventing those who desired to do this. For instance, when Shimei was bespattering him with many reproaches (2Sa 16:5-12) and the captain who was with David was incensed, he said, "Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to," for he had a contrite and humbled heart, and it was this especially which wiped away his sins. For this is confession, this is repentance. But if while we are fasting we are proud, we have been not only benefited in nothing, but even injured ourselves."