We see that vice is something shameful and sinful in that it always hides and always takes upon itself the appearance of good works.
St. John Chrysostom beautifully says: "Vice does not have its own particular face, but borrows the face of good works."
This is why the Savior said: "They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
Call a liar, a liar; a thief, a thief; a murderer, a murderer; an adulterer, an adulterer; a slanderer, a slanderer and you will infuriate them. However, call a man whatever you want: honest, honorable, unselfish, truthful, just, conscientious and you will make him light up with joy and please him.
Again, according to Chrysostom, I quote: "Good works are something natural in man while vice is something unnatural and false." If a man is even caught in a vice, he quickly justifies his vice by some good works; he clothes it in the garments of good works. Indeed, vice does not posses its own particular face. The same is true of the devil, the father of vices!
- St. Nikolai Velimirovich
