On Fear
LXXII. On Fear
1. Since God is wholly love,
there can exist no fear in Him,
because He is afraid of nothing.
2. He who is afraid of anything
cannot be the greatest lord,
for fear pertains to lesser beings.
3. Fear is the consequence of love
when such fear belongs to a worthy and true servant
who is afraid of neglecting his honourable lord.
4. It is better for one to be fearful
of neglecting one’s lord
than to be afraid of pain and suffering.
5. A man who fears that God may be dishonoured,
has a fear which pertains to great happiness,
and is completely filled with faithfulness.
6. Whoever fails to render honour to God does not fear Him
and whoever does not fear Him fails to bear love towards Him,
but rather is completely filled with great dishonour.
7. Fear resulting from goodness is as worthy
as is fear resulting from possibility,
for in the Beloved they are equal.
8. One should fear judgement as much
as one should love forgiveness,
for they are equal in terms of love’s action.
9. Fear makes one knowledgeable,
and increases loving acts
and protects one from sin.
10. Fear is better in <rude> health
than it is in sickness,
because <in the former case> one enjoys greater freedom.