• “The heightened knowledge of fragility and mortality produced by death can terrify, embitter and separate. It can also awaken. It can remind those who grieve not to take the people who love them for granted.”

    —Jordan B. Peterson, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

  • Poor are those who limit their thoughts to the past with all its troubles, mistakes and its sweet dreams. There would not be any time or strength left for them to do something for the future.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, WORDS OF SPIRITUAL BENEFIT VOL III

  • Do not remember from the past except what could make your present better and gives you a push forward in repentance or in growth.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, WORDS OF SPIRITUAL BENEFIT VOL III

  • Many people do not feel the value of something until after they have lost it!
    …
    The son who neglects to honour his parents mistreats them and only feels their value after he has lost them, whether it is through their death or by losing their approval or blessing…

    In general, a person is not aware of the value of life and the importance of eternity until after he has lost that life and eternity both together…

    How nice it is if a person wakes up to himself and perceives the value of his situation before he loses it, especially something which cannot be retrieved once it has been lost!!

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Experiences in Life

  • Fear makes a person always complain, and makes the person have doubts about the love of God and His care. For this reason we often find that fear is responsible for the person remaining inactive and not contributing positively in life.

    Fear paralyzes the person, making him incapable of advancing forward. Fear makes the person think that they will not be able to fulfill their dreams and wishes, and it makes the person remain silent, and not say the truth.

    —H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Overcome Fear, The Effect of Fear on the Human Being

  • The person has to do their part fully, to triumph over fear. If a person has a fear of an exam, for example, they have to study well, and this will help them overcome the fear. We have to fulfill what we are required to do, and God will give us peace which surpasses all understanding and will take away from us anxiety, trouble and fear.

    —H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Overcome Fear, How Do We Face Fear?

  • Fear sneaks into the heart of the person who is idle; the devil begins sowing the seeds of doubt and fear. But the person who is occupied, especially with serving God, fear will not sneak into his heart, but he will receive power unto power.

    —H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Overcome Fear, How Do We Face Fear?

  • Fear is what bridles the tongues of people, preventing them from expressing themselves freely without embarrassment or fear. It is what makes many remain silent from [saying] the word of truth and defending those suffering wrong. It is what makes a person unsuccessful in his life, taking them away from their hopes and dreams, not realizing the achievements they desire to reach.

    —H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Overcome Fear, The Effect of Fear on the Human Being

  • Know with certainty, therefore, that to stand is not within your power, nor does it pertain to your virtue, but it belongs to grace herself which carries you upon the palm of her hand, that you may not be alarmed.

    —St. Isaac the Syrian

  • 165. Do good to one who wrongs you, and God will be your friend. Never slander your enemy. Practice love, restraint and moderation, patience, self-control and the like. For this is knowledge of God: to follow Him through humility and other such virtues. These are the actions not of every man, but of one whose soul possesses spiritual understanding.

    —St Anthony the Great
    On the Character of Men and on the Virtuous Life
    One Hundred and Seventy Texts