The Hexaemeron: Homily VII, Big Fish Eats the Little Fish, by St. Basil of Caesarea (C.E. 330-379) Andrew Taylor, Sep 28, 09

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PART 3


The food of fish differs according to their species. Some feed on mud; others eat sea weed; others content themselves with the herbs that grow in water.

But the greater part devour each other, and the smaller is food for the larger, and if one which has possessed itself of a fish weaker than itself becomes a prey to another, the conqueror and the conquered are both swallowed up in the belly of the last.

And we mortals, do we act otherwise when we oppress our inferiors?

What difference is there between the last fish and the man who, impelled by devouring greed, swallows the weak in the folds of his insatiable avarice?

See the man who stole the goods of the poor; you caught him and made him a part of your wealth.

You have shown yourself more unjust than the unjust, and more miserly than the miser.

Look to it lest you end like the fish, by hook, by trap, or by net.

Surely we too, when we have done the deeds of the wicked, shall not escape punishment at the last.