The gentle does not get angry for every cause.
If he gets angry, it is for something serious, and often for God’s sake. His anger is not for his own sake, for his own dignity, nor for his own rights as others do.
If he gets angry, he does not become furious or nervous. His anger is merely an expression of his objection and dissatisfaction. He is usually calm; does not easily get upset, nor flame with rage.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
Category: ANGER
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The gentle person is always cheerful, and never frowns at anyone.
His smile is sweet and loved by everyone, and his features are nice giving comfort to whoever looks at him. In his calmness he cannot rebuke or blame, nor can he act with excitedness or harshness, nor can he change the tone of his voice when rebuking someone.
Even if mistreated, the gentle will not grumble, get bored, or complain.
He often finds excuses for others, justifies their conduct, and thinks no evil. He never speaks about the offences against him, as if nothing has happened. He does not even feel sad within, and if he is provoked his anger will soon clear away and not turn into malice.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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Good relations can easily be established with the gentle person. Anybody can be on good terms with him.
He does not get excited nor offended in agreements. Whoever argues with him feels at ease, even though different in opinion with him, being sure he will not get angry or count faults for him.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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The gentle has no violence nor wrath in his temper.
He is calm and is not agitated or stirred. He does not get angry at all, nor is he ever aroused or overcome by nervousness. His nerves are always calm, and his features are always good natured and cheerful. He avenges not himself, nor solves his problems with violence. If anyone offends him, he faces it with longsuffering and patience.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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A kind heart does not rebuke much, and even if he rebukes, it will not be with hurting words.
See how the Lord treated His disciple Peter who denied Him thrice, cursing and swearing, saying, “I do not know the Man.” (Mt 26: 69-74)! When the Lord met him after the resurrection, He did not remind him that he denied Him thrice with oaths and cursing, but to blame him, the Lord only said to him thrice, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit -
WHEN SOMEONE INJURES US IN WHATEVER WAY, WHETHER WITH SLANDERS OR WITH INSULTS, WE SHOULD THINK OF HIM AS OUR BROTHER WHO HAS BEEN TAKEN HOLD OF BY THE ENEMY. WE HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO THE ENEMY. ACCORDINGLY WE NEED TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR HIM AND ENTREAT GOD TO HAVE MERCY BOTH ON US AND ON HIM, AND GOD WILL HELP BOTH, IF, HOWEVER, WE ARE FILLED WITH ANGER AGAINST HIM, THEN THE ENEMY WILL JUMP FROM HIM TO US AND MAKE A MOCKERY OF US BOTH A PERSON WHO CONDEMNS OTHERS DOES NOT LOVE CHRIST. OUR EGOTISM IS AT FAULT.
Elder Porphyrios
Wounded by Love -
The thoughts that encompass all evil are eight in number: those of gluttony, unchastity, avarice, anger, dejection, listlessness, self-esteem and pride. It does not lie within our power to decide whether or not these eight thoughts are going to arise and disturb us. But to dwell on them or not to dwell on them, to excite the passions or not to excite them, does lie within our power.
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Some, I know not why (for I have not learned to pry conceitedly into the gifts of God) are by nature, I might say, prone to temperance, or silence, or purity, or modesty, or meekness, or contrition. But others, although almost their own nature itself resists them in this, to the best of their power force themselves; and though they occasionally suffer defeat yet, as men struggling with nature, they are in my opinion higher than the former.
St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent
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There are many disciples of Christ who can justly claim that they are indifferent to material possessions. They happily live in simple huts, wear rough woolen clothes, eat frugally, and give away the bulk of their fortunes. These same people can justly claim that they are indifferent to worldly power. They happily work in the most humble capacities, performing menial tasks, with no desire for high rank. But there may still be one earthly attribute to which they cling: reputation. They may wish to be regarded by others as virtuous. They may want to be admired for their charity, their honesty, their integrity, their self-denial. They may not actually draw people’s attention to these qualities, but they are pleased to know that others respect them. Thus when someone falsely accuses them of some wrongdoing, they react with furious indignation. They protect their reputation with the same ferocity as the rich people protect their gold. Giving up material possessions and worldly power is easy compered with giving up reputation. To be falsely accused and yet to remain spiritually serene is the ultimate test of faith.
On Living Simply
St. John Chrysostom
SO GOOD QUOTES 