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Learned words do not make anyone wise or holy; it is a good life which draws us closer to God.
Strive to remove your heart from the love of visible things, and direct your concerns to invisible things. For those who follow their natural inclinations defile their conscience, and fall away from the grace of God.
A realistic and humble attitude is the highest and most valuable thing we can learn. The wisest form of self-understanding is to think little of ourselves and to think kindly and well of others. If you see someone doing evil, or carrying out a wrong act, do not for that reason think you are better than they; for you cannot tell how long you will remain in a state of grace. We are all frail; remember that no one is frailer than you.
On the Day of Judgement we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how eloquently we have spoken, but how holy our lives have been.
True peace of heart can only be found in resisting the passions, not by giving in to them.
We could enjoy much peace if we were not bothered by what other people say and do, for they are no concern of ours.
All evil temptation begins with an unstable mind and a lack of trust in God.
Firstly, an evil thought crosses the mind; then comes a strong imagination; then delight and the desire to do evil and in the end we consent. So, if he is not resisted from the beginning, the Enemy gains complete mastery. The longer a lazy person delays, the weaker is resistance and the stronger is the power of the Enemy.
Our outward deeds are of no value without love; but whatever is done out of love, however small, is totally fruitful. For God takes account of the greatness of our motives rather than the greatness of our achievements.
Strive to be patient, bear with the faults and frailties of others, for you also have many faults which others have to tolerate. If you cannot mould yourself as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking? For we expect other people to be perfect, but we do not correct our own faults.
