John Climacus Quotes

“Fight to escape from your own cleverness. If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
― John Climacus, John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Fasting is a struggle against nature and the removal of all that stimulates the palate, the inhibition of lust, the excision of evil thoughts, liberation from dreams, purity in prayer, the radiance of the soul, the defense of the mind, liberation from blindness, the gateway of remorse, humble sorrow, joyful remorse, a break from speaking, an agent for stillness, a watch for obedience, alleviation of sleep, health of body, a means to dispassion, a clearing of sins, a door to Paradise and its joy.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Those who are quick to strictly judge the sins of their neighbor sink into this problem because they have not yet achieved a regular and careful remembrance of their own shortcomings. For if one could perceive his own sins precisely, without the curtain of pride, he would concern himself with nothing else while he lived, seeing that even if he were to live a hundred years, he would not have time enough to grieve over his sins even if he were to see the entire river Jordan pouring forth as tears from his eyes. I have seen that type of grieving, and I did not discover in it even the slightest bit of condemnation.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“David never said, "I have fasted," or, "I have kept the vigil," or "I have stretched out naked on the ground," but, "I humbled myself, and quickly the Lord saved me.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“In the same way that the father has stated that perfect love does not know sin, so I state that a perfect awareness of death is freedom from fear.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Let the desire to leave our place be evidence for us that our mode of life is well-pleasing to God. For being fought against is a sure sign that we are in a war.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“A firm foundation consists of three levels, three columns. These are innocence, fasting, and self-control. Let all infants in Christ start with these virtues, using them as their infant like examples. For you find in a baby nothing which is cunning or deceitful. They do not have an uncontrollable appetite or stomach. There is no body lit with fire. But as they increase, perhaps as they consume more food, their animal passions increase as well.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The one who has achieved the fear of the Lord has given up lying, having inside himself an incorruptible judge, which is his conscience.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The start of freedom from anger is stillness of the mouth when the heart is troubled. The middle is a stillness of the mind when there is a small agitation of the soul. The end is an unchanging calm beneath the breath of polluted winds.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Humility is an unchanging character of the soul which continues untouched either by a bad or good report, in disgrace or in honor.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Always be struggling with your mind. When it roams about, summon it to return to you. God does not necessarily require from those who are still under the obedience, that their prayer be altogether free from distractions. Be not depressed when your thoughts are taken from you, but stay at peace and constantly bring back your mind. Unceasing remembrance is fitting only for angels.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The one whose will in conversation is to set up his own opinion, even if what he says is true, should realize that he is cursed with the devil's illness. And if his behavior is only like this when in conversation with his equals, a reprimand from his superiors may cure him. But if he does this even when those who are more excellent and wiser than he are present, then his sickness is without cure.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“To respect the toils of these holy ones is good. To imitate them brings salvation. But to desire suddenly to take on their way of life in every detail is not possible or reasonable.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“It is not extraordinary for the incorporeal to battle with the incorporeal. But it is extraordinary for one clothed in the material, and struggling with this antagonistic and wily matter, to drive off incorporeal enemies.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Blessed is the one who fears the Lord as much as men in a court fear the judge. Blessed is the one who is as eager with sincere zeal as a well-trained servant is to his lord. Blessed is the one who is as jealous for the virtues as those husbands who keep vigil on account of jealousy over their wives. Blessed is the one who is present in prayer before the Lord as the servants are present before the king. Blessed is the one who untiringly seeks to please the Lord as others attempt to please men.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“There are few who can hold water without a bucket and still fewer who can control an unrestrained tongue.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The one who has achieved love has cast out revenge, but the one who nourishes a feeling of ill-will amasses never-ending misery for himself.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The start of blessed long-suffering is to be able to accept disgrace with grief of the soul. The middle state is to be at liberty from distress in the middle of these things. However, perfection, is to look upon disgrace as honor. Let the first be joyful, the second mighty, and blessed is the last, for he delights in the Lord.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Do not have a desire to reassure people with your speech about your love for them, but instead entreat God to display your love for them without a word. Otherwise there will not be sufficient time for both intimacies and remorse. Let yourself not err, heedless laborer, as though one moment can make up for another. For a day is not enough to pay back the full debt which you owe to the Lord. It is not possible, some say, to spend the day piously without regarding it as the last day of our life. And it is astonishing indeed how even the heathens have stated something similar, seeing that they define philosophy as the reflection on death.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“An indifferent heart blunts the mind, and a surfeit of food dries up the spring of tears. Being thirsty and keeping vigil vex the heart, and when the heart is vexed then the waters will flow.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“And some pious souls have departed from the graveyard; look, they are dead. Let us entreat the Lord that this may not occur with us.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The one who tries, without help, to fight with the spiritual beings is destroyed by them.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“What Does Qatar Owe Me If They Cancel My Flight? [[ Receive travel ]]
Call OTA (USA) +1-888-690-5358 or OTA (UK) +44-800-066-3343 to check your compensation for a canceled Spirit Airlines flight. If Spirit cancels your flight, you may be eligible for a refund or a free rebooking. for details. For immediate help, dial OTA (USA) +1-888-690-5358 or OTA (UK) +44-800-066-3343.”
― John, John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“What Does Spirit Owe Me If They Cancel My Flight? [[ Immediate assistance ]]
Call OTA (USA) +1-888-690-5358 or OTA (UK) +44-800-066-3343 to check Spirit Airlines’ compensation policy. If Spirit cancels your flight, you may be entitled to a full refund, travel credits, or a free rebooking on the next available flight. for details. For immediate assistance, dial OTA (USA) +1-888-690-5358 or OTA (UK) +44-800-066-3343.”
― John, John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The true servant of the Lord is the one who in body is standing before men, but in his mind is knocking at heaven with his prayer.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Remembrance of wrongs is far removed from natural, healthy love, but sexual immorality with ease draws close to it, just as at times lice can be observed on a bird.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Let those of us who are feeble and lustful have the courage to present our illnesses and feeble nature to Christ with undoubting faith, and speak to Him. And we will confidently receive His help, even though this is beyond what we deserve. But only if we unrelentingly move to the full depth of a humble nature.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“Do not be surprised if you fall every day and do not surrender. Stand your ground bravely. And you may be sure that your guardian angel will respect your endurance. A fresh, warm wound is easier to heal than those that are old, neglected, and festering, and that need extensive treatment, surgery, bandaging, and cauterization.”
― John Climacus, John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“A fish quickly eludes a hook and a carnal soul flees solitude.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

“The Jew delights on Sabbath days, and at feasts, and a gluttonous monk rejoices on Saturdays and Sundays. He counts down the days until Easter, and he readies his food many days beforehand. The servant of his stomach carefully plans out what foods he will rejoice in at the feast, but the servant of God meditates on the graces he will be honored with.”
― John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent