Do not try to decide a difficult matter by means of disputing, but that which is enjoined by the spiritual law, namely patience, prayer, and thoughtf….

God tested Abraham. That is, he sent him afflictions for his benefit, not so that he could find out what sort of man he was, for God knows everything….

We cannot with all our heart forgive someone who does us wrong unless we possess real knowledge. For this knowledge shows us that we deserve all we e….

Every sin that is left without repentance is a sin unto death, for which if even a saint shall pray, he shall not be heard..

A man who is enticed by sinful thoughts is blinded by them, and he sees the action of sin in himself, but he can not see the cause of this action..

No one is as good and merciful as the Lord. But even He does not forgive the unrepentant..

In the spiritual life we can do nothing worthy without repentance, but the Lord has much mercy on us because of our intentions. He who compels himsel….

Whoever has a spiritual gift and compassionate toward one who does not have it guards his gift through his compassion. But whoever is proud of his gi….

It is harmful to remember previous sins in detail. For if they bring you sorrow, they will estrange you from hope, but if they are remembered without….

Whatever we do or say without prayer always ends up either sinful or harmful and convicts us through the deeds in some mysterious way..

Whoever does not fight the one who despises him, neither in word not in thought, has received true knowledge and demonstrates a firm trust in God..

As water and fire oppose one another when combined, so are self-justification and humility opposed to one another..

When you have been insulted, cursed, or persecuted by someone, do not think of what has happened to you, but of what will come from it, and you will ….

Whoever prays for those who hurt him lays the demons low; but he who opposes his affronter is bound to the demons..

Because God's justice is inexorable, it is hard to obtain forgiveness for sins committed with complete deliberation..

We must receive the one who curses us as a messenger from God, rebuking our hidden evil thoughts, so that we, seeing our thoughts with exactness, mig….

If someone falls into any sin and is not sincerely grieved about it, it is easy for him to fall into the same thing again..