John
Chrysostom, c. 347 – 407 said,
“You carry your snare everywhere and spread your nets
in all places. You allege that you never invited others to sin. You did not,
indeed, by your words, but you have done so by your dress and your deportment.
… When you have made another sin in his heart, how can you be innocent? Tell
me, whom does this world condemn? Whom do judges punish? Those who drink poison
or those who prepare it and administer the fatal potion? You have prepared the
abominable cup, you have given the death dealing drink, and you are more
criminal than are those who poison the body; you murder not the body but the
soul. And it is not to enemies you do this, nor are you urged on by any
imaginary necessity, nor provoked by injury, but you do so out of foolish
vanity and pride.”
John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, J. H.
Parker, 1843, p. 257