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

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

An unmerciful ascetic is a barren tree.

Our enemies (demons) fell because of their pride, and call us to follow them, and bring us feelings of praise. And if your soul accepts that praise, then grace will depart, until the soul becomes humble again. And so all your life you must learn the humility of Christ.

People of high spirit bear offence nobly and gladly, but only the holy and righteous can pass through praise without harm.

Go and have pity on all, for through pity, one finds freedom of speech before God.

How harmful is the praise of man! Even though a person may have done something worthy of praise, when he enjoys the sound of praise he is already deprived of future glory, according to teachings of the holy fathers.

When tested by some trial you should try to find out not why or through whom it came, but only how to endure it gratefully, without distress or rancor.

Strive to walk worthily of the vocation to which you were called.

If they will praise you, you must remain silent—do not say anything.

Have confidence in the compassion of our Creator. Reflect well on what you are now doing, and keep before you the things you have done. Lift up your eyes to the overflowing compassion of heaven, and while He waits for you, draw near in tears to our merciful Judge. Having before your mind that He is a Just Judge, do not take your sins lightly; and having also in mind that He is compassionate, do not despair. The God-Man gives man confidence before God.

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).

Ever let mercy outweigh all else in you. Let our compassion be a mirror where we may see in ourselves that likeness and that true image which belong to the Divine nature and Divine essence. A heart hard and unmerciful will never be pure.

Love reveals itself in works of mercy.

A true monk does no reproach and does not praise.

Whoever reproaches us gives us a gift, but whoever praises us, steals from us.

It is a great work to shake from the soul the praise of men, but to reject the praise of demons is greater.

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

Pay no attention to praise and fear it; remember what one of the holy fathers says: 'If someone praises you, expect reproaches from him too.'

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