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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
He is still cleansing away the root of bitterness, still cutting off the very groundwork of anger. For what is he saying? "Look carefully how ye walk." "They are sheep in the midst of wolves," and he charges them to be also "as doves." For "ye shall be harmless," saith he, "as doves." (Matt. x. 16) Forasmuch then as they were both amongst wolves, and were besides commanded not to defend themselves, but to suffer evil, they needed this admonition. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Again he warns against bitterness and anger, as if saying to them: you are sheep in the midst of wolves, many bear malice against you, even your own household members; see to it that you give no one an occasion for enmity; apart from the faith, let no one accuse you of anything else, but show respect and every obedience where there is no harm to the faith, and be as doves. For wisdom or prudence consists in keeping oneself pure and not taking revenge on anyone.
Desert Fathers
A hermit said, 'If you lose gold or silver, you can find something as good as you lost. But the man who loses time can never make up what he has lost.'
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Above he forbade the old ways of carnal illusions (5:3), now he exhorts them to the contrary newness. Whence he states therefore from the preceding see how you walk circumspectly. Caution is one of the conditions of prudence by which a person avoids hindrances in accomplishing what he has to do. Everyone ought to possess this caution. "Let thy eyes look straight on and let thy eyelids go before thy steps" (Prov. 4:25). This is a characteristic of wise men, thus he adds not as unwise who do not know how to avoid the obstacles. …
Hippolytus of Rome
Finally, hear Paul as he speaks boldly, and mark how clearly he discovers these: "Beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit. See that ye walk circumspectly, because the days are evil." In fine then, what man shall have any excuse who hears these things in the Church from prophets and apostles, and from the Lord Himself, and yet will give no heed to the care of his soul, and to the time of the consummation, and to that approaching hour when we shall have to stand …
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