When you have decided that a thing ought to be done and are doing it, never avoid being seen doing it, though the many shall form an unfavorable opinion about it. For if it is not right to do it, avoid doing the thing; but if it is right, why are you afraid of those who shall find fault wrongly?
—Epictetus, Enchiridion
-
-
Remember that thou art an actor in a play of such a kind as the teacher (author) may choose; if short, of a short one; if long, of a long one: if he wishes you to act the part of a poor man, see that you act the part naturally; if the part of a lame man, of a magistrate, of a private person, (do the same). For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part, belongs to another.
—Epictetus, Enchiridion -
“Men with little natural talent should not despair of themselves and become indolent as regards the God-loving and virtuous life, and despise it as unattainable, beyond their reach. Instead, they should exercise their capacity and take care of themselves. For even if they are unable to attain the limit with respect to virtue and salvation, through practice and aspiration they will become better or at least not become worse – which is no small profit for the soul.”
—St. Anthony the Great
-
“When you’re doing something out of obligation, it costs you energy. When you’re doing something out of intention, it gives you energy.”
-
“For nine years a brother was assailed by the temptation to leave his community. Every day he got ready to go and picked up the cloak in which he used to wrap himself at night. At evening he would say, ‘I will go away tomorrow.’ At dawn he would think, ‘I ought to stay here and bear this temptation just today for the Lord’s sake.’ He did this every day for nine years, until the Lord took the temptation away.”
The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks
by Benedicta Ward
SO GOOD QUOTES 