SO GOOD QUOTES

  • The parable about the talents offers the thought that life is a time for trading.

    That means that it is necessary to hasten to use this time as a person would hurry to a market to bargain for what he can. Even if one has only brought bast shoes, or only bast, (very inexpensive, unsophisticated items) he does not sit with his arms folded, but contrives to call over buyers to sell what he has and then buy for himself what he needs.

    No one who has received life from the Lord can say that he does not have a single talent—everyone has something, and not just one thing; everyone, therefore, has something with which to trade and make a profit.

    Do not look around and calculate what others have received, but take a good look at yourself and determine more precisely what lies in you and what you can gain for that which you have, and then act according to this plan without laziness.

    At the Judgment you will not be asked why you did not gain ten talents if you had only one, and you will not even be asked why you gained only one talent on your one, but you will be told that you gained a talent, half a talent or a tenth of its worth.

    And the reward will not be because you received the talents, but because you gained.

    There will be nothing with which to justify yourself—not with nobleness, nor poverty, nor lack of education. When this is not given, there will be no question about it.

    But you had hands and feet. You will be asked, what did you gain with them?

    You had a tongue, what did you gain with it?

    In this way will the inequalities of earthly states be leveled out at God’s judgment.

    —St. Theophan the Recluse, Thoughts for Each Day of the Year: According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God

  • The fact is, however, that “mankind” or “the people” does not exist as a person for whom you could do something right now. It consists of individual persons. By doing something for one person, we are doing it within the general mass of humanity.

    If each one of us did what was possible to do for whoever was standing right in front of our eyes, instead of goggling at the community of mankind, then all people, in aggregate, would at each moment be doing that which is needed by those in need, and by satisfying their needs, would establish the welfare of all mankind, which is made up of haves and have-nots, the weak and the strong. But those who keep thoughts of the welfare of all mankind inattentively let slip by that which is in front of their eyes. Because they do not have the opportunity to perform a general work, and let slip by the opportunity to perform a particular work, they accomplish nothing towards the main purpose of life.

    —St. Theophan the Recluse, The Spiritual Life

  • First, find a way to love while you work, to give thanks to God for all things. Seek to bring cheer and goodness to those who you relate to at work. There may be new opportunities that open up for you where you are, or you may find new energy to enroll in a series of classes that will qualify you for different kind of work.

    With an attitude of love and humility you will find that you will be able to have joy in any job and more likely be guided to work that fits your natural God given capabilities.

    Bored With Your Work?
    Fr Dn Charles Joiner

  • “Love can’t be earned, it can only be given.”

    —Donald Miller

  • “Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.”

    —St. John Chrysostom, On Wealth and Poverty

  • Silence and conversation

    Question. There are certain conversations that are indifferent, bearing neither sin nor profit. These may include conversations with someone about, say, the prosperity of cities or their turmoil or peace, or about wars that are going to break out, or other such matters. Is it inappropriate to speak about these matters, as well?

    Response by John
    If silence is more necessary even during conversations about good matters, how much more so in matters that are indifferent? However, if we cannot keep silent, being overcome by conversing with others, let us at least not prolong the conversation in order not to fall into the snare of the enemy through chattering too much.

    Letters from the Desert: A Selection of Questions and Responses
    Barsanuphius & John

  • “The path to God is a daily cross. No one has ascended to heaven by way of ease—we know where the easy way leads.”

    —St. Isaac the Syrian

  • “If when praying no other joy can attract you, then truly you have found prayer.”

    —Evagrius Ponticus

  • For many it would mean great renunciation and discipline to give up these sources of noise: but they know that is what they need. Afraid to do it because their neighbors would think they were bats.

    —Thomas Merton, The Sign of Jonas

    The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise
    Cardinal Robert Sarah

  • In the noise of everyday life there is always a certain agitation that is stirred up in man. Noise is never serene, and it is not conducive to understanding another person. How right Pascal was when he wrote in his Pensées: “All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber.”

    The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise
    Cardinal Robert Sarah