If we had a chance to have some outstanding quality, which would, however, remain hidden, the prideful would be tempted, but the glory-lovers would walk away. The whole point for the vainglorious is that others take notice. When we are plagued by this vice, we need people to nod and smile approvingly when we walk by. Vainglory disposes us to be more concerned with our reputation (what others think about us) than with what we really are. For the vainglorious, image is everything.
Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies
Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung
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The vainglorious, on the other hand, do not aspire to something because it is excellent. Rather, they seek whatever will bring in the most public applause, whether deserving or not. Pride is a desire for genuine status; vainglory, a desire for recognition and acclaim.
Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies
Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung -
He never succumbed, due to old age, to extravagance in food, nor did he change his mode of dress because of frailty of the body, nor even bathe his feet with water, and yet in every way he remained free of injury. For he possessed eyes undimmed and sound, and he saw clearly. He lost none of his teeth—they simply had been worn to the gums because of the old man’s great age. He also retained health in his feet and hands, and generally he seemed brighter and of more energetic strength than those who make use of baths and a variety of foods and clothing.
—Athanasius, The Life of Antony -
None of us is judged for what he does not know, any more than one is counted blessed because he is learned and possesses knowledge. It is rather in regard to these questions that each faces judgment: whether he has kept the faith and sincerely observed the commandments.
—Athanasius, The Life of Antony
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The desire for a woman, or another sordid pleasure, we shall not merely control—rather, we shall turn from it as something transitory, forever doing battle and looking toward the day of judgment. For the larger fear and dread of the torments always destroys pleasure’s smooth allure, and rouses the declining soul.
—Athanasius, The Life of Antony
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His watchfulness was such that he often passed the entire night without sleep, and doing this not once, but often, he inspired wonder. He ate once daily, after sunset, but there were times when he received food every second and frequently even every fourth day. His food was bread and salt, and for drinking he took only water.
—Robert C. Gregg on St. Antony the Great
Athanasius, The Life of Antony -
When you judge others, you judge God. Whether you’ve seen a thief, a loose woman, or a drunkard sprawled on the street, do not judge, because the Lord allowed their passions. Through these they should find the path to God—they should be humbled, see their own powerlessness, come to know the Lord, and repent. And are you pleasing to God? That means the Lord in His grace and mercy is restraining your passions. Know that if He lets them go you will fall into worse sins, and perhaps you won’t manage to climb out of those sins and you’ll perish. There for be humble and cautious. You saw that a person sinned, but did you see later how he repented? Then don’t judge! Like a thread passing through the eye of a needle, so man experiences the same sin that he judged in another.
—St. Gabriel the Fool for Christ of Samtavro
SO GOOD QUOTES 