Do not offend others, even in your thoughts.
Do not let the Devil sow enmity and malice in your heart against your neighbour; do not let these feelings nestle in any way in your heart; otherwise your malice, even if not expressed in words, but shown only in your glance, may infect through sight the soul of your brother.
—St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
Train yourself to honour and love others, whether in their presence or in their absence.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, A Whisper of Love: Poems, Prayers and Sayings
We should have the same attitude toward all of our fellow men. We must not classify people, saying, “This one I like, but so and so I do not.” By doing so, you will have declared war on the other person and that person will not tolerate you. Even though you may not have given any outward sign of dislike by word or gesture, you have done so by your thoughts and that is enough.
—Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives
Just as soon as he shows us some fault in our neighbor, we must quickly reject the thought—lest it take root in us and grow. Take warning: we must cast it out so no trace is left in us, and replace it with thoughts of the good qualities we know our neighbor possesses (or of those qualities people generally should possess).
—Fr. Jack Sparks, Unseen Warfare p.63
Find excuses for others and try your best to defend them in a rightful way, not through hypocrisy.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Words of Spiritual Benefit Vol. 1
Remember people’s love for you and their good past with you, whenever you are fought by doubts of their sincerity and whenever you see them erring against you, for then their past love will intercede for them and your anger will subside.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III
SO GOOD QUOTES 