Quotes

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

Commandments

Unless a man keeps the commandments of God, he cannot progress, even in a single virtue.

Abba Agathon

Pride

Self-esteem is so deeply rooted in us and so firmly enmeshed in us, making us think that we are something, and something not unimportant, that it always hides in our heart as a subtle and imperceptible movement, even when we are sure that we do not trust ourselves and are, on the contrary, filled with complete trust in God alone. In order to avoid this conceit of the heart and act without any self-reliance, led only by your trust in God, take care always to preserve an attitude in which the consciousness and feeling of your weakness always precede in you the contemplation of God's omnipotence, and let both alike precede your every action.

Lorenzo Scupoli

Commandments

Make the body serve the commandments, keeping it so far as possible free from sickness and sensual pleasure.

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Commandments

Struggle until death to fulfill the commandments: purified through them, you will enter into life.

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Pride

Know that if your thought leads you to look at how others live, this is a sign of pride.

St. Silouan of the Holy Mountain

Tests

As work according to God is called virtue, so unexpected affliction is called a test.

St. Mark the Ascetic

Pride

Pride is the forerunner of every fall.

St. Macarius of Optina

Pride

Where a fall has overtaken us, there pride has already pitched its tent; because a fall is an indication of pride.

St. John Climacus

Pride

I prefer a defeat accompanied by humility to a victory accompanied by pride.

The Desert Fathers

Pride

Pride is known by its deeds as a tree is known by its fruits.

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

Pride

Keep a strict watch against any appearance of pride: it appears imperceptibly, particularly in time of vexation and irritability against others for quite unimportant causes.

St. John of Kronstadt

Enemies

Do good to one who wrongs you, and God will be your friend.

St. Anthony the Great

Tests

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

Elder Joseph the Hesychast

Enemies

If you harbor rancor against anybody, pray for him and you will prevent the passion from being aroused; for by means of prayer you will separate your resentment from the thought of the wrong he has done you. When you have become loving and compassionate towards him, you will wipe the passion completely from your soul.

St. Maximus the Confessor

Pride

Those who mourn and those who are insensitive are not subject to fear, but the cowardly often have become deranged. And this is natural. For the Lord rightly forsakes the proud that the rest of us may learn not to be puffed up.

St. John Climacus

Commandments

Keep the commandments, and you will find peace; love God, and you will attain spiritual knowledge.

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Tests

Knowing the exact nature of everything, God permits each person to be tested according to his strength. As St. Paul puts it: 'God is to be trusted not to let you be tried beyond your strength, but with the trial He will provide a way out, so that you are able to bear it' (1 Cor. 10:13).

St. Macarius the Great

Pride

Arrogance cannot bear to see itself scorned and humility held in honor.

St. Symeon the New Theologian

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Unless a man keeps the commandments of God, he cannot progress, even in a single virtue.

Make the body serve the commandments, keeping it so far as possible free from sickness and sensual pleasure.

Struggle until death to fulfill the commandments: purified through them, you will enter into life.

Know that if your thought leads you to look at how others live, this is a sign of pride.

As work according to God is called virtue, so unexpected affliction is called a test.

Pride is the forerunner of every fall.

Where a fall has overtaken us, there pride has already pitched its tent; because a fall is an indication of pride.

I prefer a defeat accompanied by humility to a victory accompanied by pride.

Pride is known by its deeds as a tree is known by its fruits.

Keep a strict watch against any appearance of pride: it appears imperceptibly, particularly in time of vexation and irritability against others for quite unimportant causes.

Do good to one who wrongs you, and God will be your friend.

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

Those who mourn and those who are insensitive are not subject to fear, but the cowardly often have become deranged. And this is natural. For the Lord rightly forsakes the proud that the rest of us may learn not to be puffed up.

Keep the commandments, and you will find peace; love God, and you will attain spiritual knowledge.

Knowing the exact nature of everything, God permits each person to be tested according to his strength. As St. Paul puts it: 'God is to be trusted not to let you be tried beyond your strength, but with the trial He will provide a way out, so that you are able to bear it' (1 Cor. 10:13).

Arrogance cannot bear to see itself scorned and humility held in honor.

"With the Name of Jesus flog the foes, for there is no surer weapon against them, either on earth or in heaven."

St. Gregory of Sinai, On Silence and Prayer

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