More wisdom from the East: A warning to preachers

Amma Syncletica said: It is dangerous for anyone to teach who has not first been trained in the practical Christian life. For if someone who owns a ruined house receives guests there, he does them harm because of the dilapidation of the dwelling. It is the same in the case of someone who has not first built an interior dwelling. He causes loss to those who come. By words he may convert them to salvation, but by evil behavior, he injures them.