This is the law: Abandon everything that is dangerous to the new life, whatever ignites passions, brings vanity, and extinguishes the spirit. And how many such things there are! Let the measure of this be each person’s heart, sincerely seeking salvation without deceit and not only for show. Now is the time to cease from all theaters, balls, dances, music, singing, travels, strolls, acquaintances, jokes, sarcasm, laughter, and idle time. It is time even to change the time of arising from bed, sleep, eating, and so on. At other times and in different places it may be otherwise. But the measuring stick is always the same: Abandon what is harmful and dangerous to life, whatever extinguishes the spirit. But what exactly is this? For some, it may be the most petty thing, like a stroll around some familiar area with a familiar individual. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful (1 Corinthians 6.12).

—St. Theophan the Recluse, The Path to Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation