The Story of Shame

A man was caught in the middle of a shameful act when a person of good standing happened to pass by him. He sat there, his face sweating with embarrassment, thinking: how ashamed I am before this respected elder of the neighborhood! The clear-hearted old man heard these words and, stirred, said to him: young man, Are you not ashamed of yourself? God is present with you, and yet it is me you feel ashamed before? Do not worry about the eyes of any person. Go, and keep your attention on God alone. Feel the same shame before your God that you feel before strangers and family.