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

Conscience in men is nothing else but the voice of the omnipresent God moving in the hearts of men, as He Who alone Is and has created everything, the Lord knows all as Himself - all the thoughts, desires, intentions, words, and works of men, present, past, and future. However far in front I may let my thoughts, my imagination, run He is there before me and I ever inevitably finish my course in Him, ever having Him as the witness of my ways. 'His eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men' (Jer 32:19). 'Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit, or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?' (Ps 139:7).

It is no small struggle to be freed from self-esteem. Such freedom is to be attained by the inner practice of the virtues and by more frequent prayer; and the sign that you have attained it is that you no longer harbor rancor against anybody who abuses or has abused you.

In words of boastfulness and self-justification there always lie concealed contrariness and pride, from which God turns away. After sinning one ought immediately to 'flee.' But you say, where? To the calm haven of heartfelt repentance.

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

Believe me, brethren, the more we are now in earnest to keep ourselves free from sin, the more confident shall we then be in His Presence.

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.

The Holy Fathers say, 'Pride goeth before a fall, and humility before grace.' Whereas faintheartedness is the mother of impatience.

He who does not consciously choose to distance himself from a cause for sin, will be drawn to sin, even against his will.

Our own will is like a wall of brass between us and God, preventing us from coming near to Him or contemplating His mercy.

If you feel no pang in committing minor offences you will through them fall into major transgressions.

Every man who has committed sin, has stopped up the senses of his soul with the mud of pleasure.

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

Being delivered from bodily sins is not enough, we must also cleanse the inner energy which dwells in our souls.

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

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

No one can be saved without the renunciation of his will, even though he might struggle fervently, for our will and our manner are like a bronze wall between us and God.

Let us not put off from day to day, without observing how sin is injuring us.

The conscience is nature's book. He who applies what he reads there experiences God's help.

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