וְכֹל֙ כְּלִ֣י פָת֔וּחַ אֲשֶׁ֛ר אֵין־צָמִ֥יד פָּתִ֖יל עָלָ֑יו טָמֵ֖א הֽוּא׃
Y todo vaso abierto, sobre el cual no hubiere tapadera bien ajustada, sera inmundo.
That the Worse is wont to Attack the Better
[103] So let us make it our earnest endeavour to bind up each of the openings which we have mentioned with the adamantine chains of self-control. For Moses says elsewhere (Numb. 19:15) that “every open vessel which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean,” implying that wretchedness is due to the different parts of the soul having been left loose and gaping and unfastened, while proper ordering of life and speech is the result of these being kept close and tight. So we see that God cannot but curse the godless and impious Cain, because, opening wide the inner chambers of his complex being, he stood agape for all outward things, praying in his greed to be able both to take them in, and to find room for them for the destruction of Abel, or the teaching devoted to God.
On the Confusion of Tongues
[167] Further in another place he says, “All that are bound with a bond are clean” (Num. 19:15), for unbinding is the cause of destruction which is unclean. Never then, when you see any of the wicked accomplishing with ease whatsoever he attempts, admire him for his success, but contrariwise pity him for his ill-luck, for his is a life of continual barrenness in virtue and fruitfulness in vice.