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

Lack of self-control is actually an evil both ancient and modern, though it did not precede its antidote, fasting. By means of our Forefathers' self-indulgence in paradise and their contempt for the fast already in existance there, death entered the world. Sin reigned and brought in the condemnation of our nature from Adam until Christ.

Beware of reading the doctrines of heretics for they, more than anything else, can equip the spirit of blasphemy against you.

One who is capable of seeing himself is better than one who has been made worthy to see angels.

Guard yourselves from soul-destroying heresy, communion with which is alienation from Christ.

Control your stomach, sleep, anger, and tongue, and you will not 'dash your foot against a stone.'

A holy man told us one day, that the source of all heresies and schisms in the church was, loving God too little, and ourselves too much.

Self-knowledge is a true idea of one's spiritual growth, and an unbroken remembrance of one's slightest sins.

Love and self-control purify the soul.

St. Paul says: 'The person engaged in spiritual warfare exercises self control in all things' (I Cor. 9:25). Aware of all that is said in divine Scripture, let us lead our life with self-control, especially in regard to food.

Nothing is better than to realize one's weakness and ignorance, and nothing is worse than not to be aware of them.

If you lay down rules for yourself, do not disobey yourself; for he who cheats himself is self-deluded.

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.

Self-control and strenuous effort curb desire; stillness and intense longing for God wither it.

No virtue makes flesh-bound man so like a spiritual angel as does self-restraint, for it enables those still living on earth to become, as the Apostle says, 'citizens of heaven' (cf. Phil. 3:20).

Only with the greatest struggle and sacrifice is the chaff of heresy separated from the wheat of Orthodox truth.

If someone is judged worthy to receive the gift of knowledge but allows his heart to be full of bitterness or rancor or aversion to another, it is as if he had been struck in the eye by a thornbush. That is why knowledge is no good without charity.

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