Men are often called intelligent wrongly. Intelligent men are not those who are erudite in the sayings and books of the wise men of old, but those who have an intelligent soul and can discriminate between good and evil. They avoid what is sinful and harms the soul; and with deep gratitude to God they resolutely adhere by dint of practice to what is good and benefits the soul. These men alone should truly be called intelligent. St. Anthony the Great, Philokalia

To live a Christian life is impossible. All one can do as a Christian is to "die daily". St. Silouan from "Saint Silouan" pg 236

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. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia

If a man falls into some sin and does not feel remorse for his offence as he should, he will easily fall into the same net again. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia

December 15, 2011

The fear of God compels us to fight against evil; and when we fight against evil, the grace of God destroys it. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia

Every affliction tests our will, showing whether it is inclined to good or evil. This is why an unforeseen affliction is called a test, because it enables a man to test his hidden desires. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia

The self-indulgent are distressed by criticism and hardship; those who love God by praise and luxury. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia

He who with fear of God admonishes or corrects a man who has sinned, gains the virtue that is opposite to that sin. But he who reproaches him out of rancor and ill will becomes subject to a similar passion, according to the spiritual law. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia

The man who possesses spiritual knowledge and understands the truth confesses to God, not by recalling what he has done, but by accepting patiently what comes. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia

He who believes in the blessings of the world to come abstains of his own accord from the pleasures of this present world. But he who lacks such faith becomes pleasure-loving and insensitive. St. Mark the Ascetic, Philokalia