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

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

Self-love precedes all passions, and the scorn of ease precedes all the virtues.

Since self-love is the origin and mother of evil, when this is eradicated all the things which derive from it are eradicated as well. For when self-love is absent, not the slightest trace or form of evil can exist in any way at all.

The greatest obstacle that obstructs God's grace is self-love. When God finds one's heart emptied of all desires, He fills it with His grace.

There is no venom more poisonous than that of the asp or cobra, and there is no evil greater than that of self-love. The winged children of self-love are self-praise, self-satisfaction, gluttony, unchastity, self-esteem, jealousy and the crown of all these, pride. Pride can drag down not men alone, but even angels from heaven, and surround them with darkness instead of light.

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

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.

He who loves himself cannot love God. But he who, for love of God, does not love himself, loves God.

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Archangel Michael Orthodox Church
5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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