SO GOOD QUOTES

Author: SO GOOD QUOTES

  • I never met one interesting mind that was not richly endowed with inadmissible deficiencies.

    —Emil Cioran, The Trouble with Being Born

  • The more gifted a man is, the less progress he makes on the spiritual level. Talent is an obstacle to the inner life.

    —Emil Cioran, The Trouble with Being Born

  • Many take actions that they later on regret, either due to its bad results or because their conscience troubles them and turns against them. It could also be that they fail to put matters back to the way they were before taking these wrong actions. 

    The regret increases more as the person realises the horror of his sin and the greatness of his guilt, just like Judas, and as Cain said, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.” (Gen. 4:13). 

    The regret also increases when one realises that it is of no use. For example, a word is said and nobody can get it back, or take it out of the ears of those who heard it, no matter how the person apologises. 

    Wrong deeds that one regrets could be the result of rashness, hastiness and lack of consideration. It could also be due to lack of consultation before taking such action. The terrible and wrong deed could also be the outcome of anger, inner revolution, loss of self-control, ignoring the results or not giving them a thought completely. 

    As one regrets what he does hastily and without consultation, he may also regret giving in to his desires and passions, without putting God before him and without considering his dignity as an image of God. 

    One may also regret not taking the future into account when he acted carelessly in a light, and lazy manner. 

    Nevertheless, regret has its benefit, as it leads one to repentance, correcting his lifestyle. It also has another benefit, as it leads one to a life of humility and contrition. That is what happened with the prophet David, who every night, drenched his couch with his tears. It also happened to St. Paul, the Apostle, who says, “… I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.” (1 Cor. 15:9). 

    Regret could be of benefit here, but in eternity it turns into torment. There wouldn’t be repentance, as the time of repentance would be over, “… and the door was shut …” as in the parable of the foolish virgins who heard the Lord saying, “I do not know you.” (Matt. 25:10). The regret here turned into “.. weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 25:30). 

    Struggle then while you are on earth before it is too late when regret wouldn’t be of benefit. That is the share of those who do not labour now, as the poet says:

    If you did not sow and watched a reaper – 

    You shall regret for wasting the time of sowing.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Words of Spiritual Benefit Vol. IV

  • Some cannot wait for death, and some are terrified of death. This becomes a marker for which life I’m walking.

    —Fr. Mina Dimitri

  • We are called to reflect the light of God, we are called to reflect His light—not to be preoccupied with darkness. We’re actually called to be preoccupied with light, to be so focused, so obsessed with light, that we spread that light everywhere we go. And because of this, we often think that being modest means that we should hide that light—that if there are some fruits in me, that I should hide it. I’m very careful about what I say. I’m so scared that perhaps my pride will get in the way. I’m so scared that perhaps I’ll be judged if I speak about my Christianity, if I speak about the love of God in the world, and we hide it, but this is exactly what Jesus is saying we shouldn’t do because if we never use those fruits, and we keep them hidden under our bed, those fruits begin to rot.

    —Fr. Daniel Fanous

  • Light or darkness will never be hidden. Whatever is within us, will be known. As much as we try to hide, it will be known.

    —Fr. Daniel Fanous

  • The reliance on people prevents total reliance on God, and outward comforts prevents true comfort.

    —St. Isaac the Syrian

  • “If you want it to be private, don’t let it leave your lips.”

    —Fr. Tadros Malaty

  • All of us have problems, but where do we escape to during these problems? Do we run to people, do we run to priests, or do we run to God?

    When we’re in a situation that requires saving, where do we go? We go to other saviors. I’m running to other things besides Christ.

    —Fr. Elijah Estafanous

  • The bodily eye cannot tolerate even the smallest speck of dust on its surface, so too the conscience, when soiled by something, cannot attain prayer.

    —Elder Moses of Optina