Pozorny smutek sprawiedliwego w Księdze Mądrości

Abstract

The article analyzes the issue of the suffering of a righteous man in the part I of the Book of Wisdom. It is often treated by the exegetes as a sad reality that affects the just, yet after a careful analysis it turns out to be apparent. The text’s analysis shows that the author intentionally avoids joining suffering with life of the just, and emphasizes that a pious, virtuous life and divine providence defends the just against suffering. The only case of suffering experienced by the just (Wis 8,9) is considered as the result of mistakes of which there is no one to be free, even a sage. Suffering can be removed by enacting the instruction of wisdom, which reveals herself not as a comforter but as the one who respects and teaches. The article also suggests the influence of the stoic thoughts which portrays the just as a true sage who lives virtuously and consequently, does not suffer.

Keywords

• virtue
• emotions
• stoicism
• wisdom
• suffering