Do Not Be Conceited

Do you think you can defeat Satan?
Suppose a tree is hung with many apples.
If you told Satan to pick only one, which would it be?
The biggest, the prettiest, the best-colored
apple—would he not pick that one?
Even if he cannot pluck the big apple from the branch,
if he takes a single bite—no, if he leaves even a small blemish—
that apple ends up losing its worth.
However much a damaged apple may boast of its other sides and show off,
who would treasure it?

I want you to gain deep wisdom.
Satan makes a person stumble through a small blemish rather than a deep wound,
and then makes them drift away from God forever.
But the farmer, too, is guarding the faithful apples.
So be always humble, like well-ripened rice,
and keep your soul from Satan
as you would keep a single drop of water in the middle of the desert.