from Counsels for Life by Father Epiphanios Theodoropolous


Once, a lawyer met the elder and asked him about reincarnation. Father Epiphanios answered him. After a lengthy period of discussion, the lawyer insisted on continuing on the same subject. The Elder said to him:


"All right, but don't you pity your time dealing with these things?"


"Is it evil, Father?"


"No, my little child, it is not evil in the sense that you are researching a topic, but you are wasting your time in vain."


"I like searching."


"How old are you?"


"About forty."


"So, you are forty years old and you are still searching? And when will you settle? And after you settle, will you then have years before you in which to regulate your life in accordance with your settled convictions? Life is very short and leaves quickly! You can't make searching the aim of your life. You must, of course, settle somewhere."


"Father, I don't accept the approach, 'believe and don't research'!"


"But I am not telling you not to research. I am simply telling you that sometime you have to settle somewhere. You are already late."


After a little while, the lawyer departed, and the Elder commented:


"Do you know what it is for your tongue to be dried up from thirst, and to have a little spring next to you, and not approach and be refreshed, but instead settle for swampy waters? Do you know what it is to tremble from the cold, for the fire to be next to you and for you not to extend your hands to get warm? Miserable people!"