Quotes

A collection of scriptural meditations from Saints and Fathers of the Church.

Temptations

Do not seek to find the cause of temptations or whence they come; only pray to suffer them with gratitude.

St. Callistus II of Constantinople, St. Ignatius Xanthopoulos

Temptations

When you pray to God in time of temptation do not say, 'Take this or that away from me', but pray like this: 'O Jesus Christ, sovereign Master, help me and do not let me sin against Thee. . .'

Abba Isaiah the Solitary

Temptations

The Fathers used to say, “If temptation befall thee in the place thou dost inhabit, desert not the place in the time of temptation: for if thou dost, wheresoever thou goest, thou shalt find what thou fliest before thee.”

The Desert Fathers

Temptations

Whenever in your path you find unchanging peace, beware: you are very far from the divine paths trodden by the weary feet of the saints. For as long as you are journeying in the way to the city of the Kingdom and are drawing near the city of God, this will be a sign for you: the strength of the temptations that you encounter. And the nearer you draw close and progress, the more temptations will multiply against you.

St. Isaac the Syrian

Soul

You would not use a dirty cup, but yet you come to the altar with a dirty soul?

St. John Chrysostom

Temptations

Christ allows temptations so that we may be purified of our predispositions.

Elder Joseph the Hesychast

Soul

Our soul is simple as thought, and rapid as thought or lightning. In an instant it can be wounded by sin and become attached to corruptible things; in an instant it can fall away from the love of God and its neighbor through a single unrighteous thought, through a single passionate desire, through a single malevolent thought, and, therefore, we must constantly watch our heart, lest it should incline to words or thoughts of evil, and must ever strive to preserve it in God's simplicity and purity, and in the love of God and its neighbor.

St. John of Kronstadt

Soul

If the soul is vigilant and withdraws from all distraction and abandons its own will, then the spirit of God invades it and it can conceive because it is free to do so.

Abba Cronius

Knowledge

If you have received from God the gift of knowledge, however limited, beware of neglecting charity and temperance. They are virtues which radically purify the soul from passions and so open the way of knowledge continually.

St. Maximus the Confessor

Soul

A man’s soul takes on qualities according to its activity.

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

Soul

When the flesh flourishes, the soul fades; when the flesh has full liberty, the soul is straitened; when the flesh is satiated, the soul hungers; when the flesh is adorned, the soul is deformed; when the flesh overflows with laughter, the soul is surrounded by misfortune; when the flesh is in the light, the soul is in darkness...

St. John of Kronstadt

Soul

Outward acts show the inner disposition of the man.

St. John Cassian

Temptations

Some temptations bring men pleasure, some grief, some bodily pain. The Physician of souls by means of His judgments applies the remedy to each soul according to the cause of its passions.

St. Maximus the Confessor

Temptations

Grace always precedes temptation, as if to notify you saying, 'Prepare yourself and lock your doors.'

Elder Joseph the Hesychast

Temptations

Waves of temptation of every sort were aimed at the righteous ones, but they did not grow faint. Glory did not make them haughty, nor did abusive treatment cause them to be despondent. They were always the same; never did the fragrance of their virtues falter.

St. Ephraim the Syrian

Temptations

When beset by temptations pray for courage and strength to remain firm. Remember: there is an eternity!

St. Macarius of Optina

Temptations

Temptations are permitted so that we may learn what is in our heart.

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

Soul

The body can neither love nor hate. Neither can a body fall in love with a body. The capability for love belongs to the soul. When the soul is in love with the body, that is not love but desire, lust. When the soul is in love with the soul, but not through God, that is either admiration, or pity. However, when the soul, through God loves the soul, without consideration for the appearance of the body - beauty or ugliness - that is love. That is true love. For in love is life.

St. Nikolai Velimirovic

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Do not seek to find the cause of temptations or whence they come; only pray to suffer them with gratitude.

St. Callistus II of Constantinople, St. Ignatius Xanthopoulos

When you pray to God in time of temptation do not say, 'Take this or that away from me', but pray like this: 'O Jesus Christ, sovereign Master, help me and do not let me sin against Thee. . .'

The Fathers used to say, “If temptation befall thee in the place thou dost inhabit, desert not the place in the time of temptation: for if thou dost, wheresoever thou goest, thou shalt find what thou fliest before thee.”

You would not use a dirty cup, but yet you come to the altar with a dirty soul?

Christ allows temptations so that we may be purified of our predispositions.

If the soul is vigilant and withdraws from all distraction and abandons its own will, then the spirit of God invades it and it can conceive because it is free to do so.

If you have received from God the gift of knowledge, however limited, beware of neglecting charity and temperance. They are virtues which radically purify the soul from passions and so open the way of knowledge continually.

A man’s soul takes on qualities according to its activity.

Outward acts show the inner disposition of the man.

Some temptations bring men pleasure, some grief, some bodily pain. The Physician of souls by means of His judgments applies the remedy to each soul according to the cause of its passions.

Grace always precedes temptation, as if to notify you saying, 'Prepare yourself and lock your doors.'

Waves of temptation of every sort were aimed at the righteous ones, but they did not grow faint. Glory did not make them haughty, nor did abusive treatment cause them to be despondent. They were always the same; never did the fragrance of their virtues falter.

When beset by temptations pray for courage and strength to remain firm. Remember: there is an eternity!

Temptations are permitted so that we may learn what is in our heart.

"Do not stir up a memory that will cover your prayer with mud, do not root around in the soil of your old sins."

Tito Colliander, Way of the Ascetics

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