The pleasure however which is produced through luxury, does not even approach to that which is experienced by him who lives with frugality. For such a one has great pleasure in thinking how little he requires.
Porphyry, On Abstinence From Animal Food, Book 1
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If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.
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Many times when we are approached by someone at times when we are fatigued or preoccupied, we are annoyed and discomforted and say, ‘I have no time for you now, come back later, wait for a while’. But Christ the Lord, even on the cross, did not say such phrases. In spite of His pains, He gave due attention to the thief, and answered his request to gladden his heart. He showed us that even on the cross, we can still serve others.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Father, Forgive Them
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Many, at their time of death weep, not for their sins, but because death will deprive them of the pleasures of life. They weep because death will separate them from their beloved ones and from their lusts; the world is still sweet in their eyes even at the hour of death. Do not think that death surely brings dread to man. No, this is not true for every one. The thief on the right benefitted from the hour of death whereas the thief on the left did not. Whilst the thief on the left was blaspheming and reviling, his companion was praying and supplicating, saying “Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your kingdom.”
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Father, Forgive Them
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“To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves.”
—Will Durant -
When you are at peace and not embattled, then humble yourself even more—lest some alien joy arising [in us] we boast and are delivered into battle. For, on account of our frailty, God often does not permit us to be embattled often—lest we be lost.
—Abba Bessarion
Give Me a Word: The Alphabetical Sayings of the Desert Fathers
SO GOOD QUOTES 