The birds are deceived, and the beasts of the woods in the woods, by those very charms by which their ruin is ever accomplished, and caves as well as food deceive them as they follow; and they know not how to shun evil, nor are they restrained by law. Law is given to man, and a doctrine of life to be chosen, from which he remembers that he may be able to live carefully, and recalls his own place, and takes away those things which belong to death. He severely condemns himself who forsakes rule; either bound with iron, or cast down from his degree; or deprived of life, he loses what he ought to enjoy. Warned by example, do not sin gravely; translated by the laver, rather have charity; flee far from the bait of the mouse-trap, where there is death. Many are the martyrdoms which are made without shedding of blood. Not to desire other men’s goods; to wish to have the benefit of martyrdom; to bridle the tongue, thou oughtest to make thyself humble; not willingly to use force, nor to return force used against thee, thou wilt be a patient mind, understand that thou art a martyr.

Commodian. 1885. “The Instructions of Commodianus.” In Fathers of the Third Century: Tertullian, Part Fourth; Minucius Felix; Commodian; Origen, Parts First and Second, edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, translated by Robert Ernest Wallis, 4:212. The Ante-Nicene Fathers. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.

Into modern English by Grok:

Bird get tricked, and wild animals in the forest too, by the very lures that always lead to their destruction. Caves and food deceive them as they chase after these things. They don’t know how to avoid danger, and no law holds them back.

But law has been given to humanity, along with a teaching on how to choose life. Through it, a person can remember to live carefully, recall their proper place [in God’s order], and reject the things that lead to death.

Anyone who abandons this guidance severely condemns themselves: they may end up in chains, stripped of their status, or even lose their life—and forfeit what they should have enjoyed.

So, learn from these examples: don’t commit serious sins. Having been washed clean in baptism, choose love instead. Flee far from the deadly bait of the mousetrap—where death awaits.

There are many kinds of martyrdom that happen without shedding blood:

Not coveting what belongs to others,
Desiring the reward of martyrdom [in spirit],
Controlling your tongue,
Humbling yourself,
Not initiating violence, and not retaliating when harmed.

If you live this way—with a patient heart—understand that you are a martyr.