Drunkenness
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink (Is. 5,11).
Once the attention of passers-by has been involved by strange behavior of the person which with meter in a hand has approached to doors of pub and began to measure them.
«Eighty five centimeters of width and two meters of height», – he has told. Then, having turned back to people, he has explained: «this Door has only two meters of height and eighty five centimeters of width. In general, a small door. However I had a house and it has entirely passed through this door. I had an earth, but it has entered into it too. I had kind furniture; it has passed through this door. I had savings, and all I have left through this door. And it was not all! I had a good health, and here the doctor has told recently: “you have passed the health through a tavern door!”
When I was a young man, I had good reputation, and today I do not trusted by anybody. They speak about me: «He is the drunkard! » Thus, my honor has left through this door. Once I had a kind and sympathetic heart. I suffered, when I saw that the wife and children cry because of me. But since I began to enter into this door, I forced them to cry very often.
I had a conscience, and I understood what is fair and dishonest what is badly and good. But I spent on drink all my property. What did I do with the body, having poisoned it? Whether was I right, having ruined my life? Certainly not. I didn't obey a conscience voice; that is why both conscience and happiness have left through this door. I left a tavern with a cheerful song often, but I was unhappy in the deep of my heart».
After these words he went. People started talking: «It is right! He told true! » But they one after another entered into the same strange door.
Drunkenness is mother of all shameful deeds. Drunkenness is always angrily. “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (Jn. 8:34).
P.Shatrov