We should have the same attitude toward all of our fellow men. We must not classify people, saying, “This one I like, but so and so I do not.” By doing so, you will have declared war on the other person and that person will not tolerate you. Even though you may not have given any outward sign of dislike by word or gesture, you have done so by your thoughts and that is enough.
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: the Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
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“They know they meet society’s standard, but have never thought that society’s standard should have nothing to do with their own.”
—David Cain, You don’t want to be typical -
“You must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important—do what’s important first.”
—Steven Pressfield, The War of Art -
“Welcome words of truth and to never reject criticism uncritically.”
—St. Mark the Ascetic
“Are you listening to what I’m saying, or are you just being offended?”
—Fr. Anthony Messeh
“Do not excuse yourself or refuse to be corrected by all; listen to every reproof with a serene countenance; think that God utters it.”
—St. John of the Cross
If it hurts to hear it, look for the truth in it.
—@naval
But if any one’s conscience attacks him, he himself is responsible for it, not my words.
Saint John Chrysostom, On the Vanity of Riches
HOMILY TWO
After Eutropios, having been found outside the church, was taken captive -
If there are some men you hate and some you neither love nor hate, and others you love strongly and others again you love but moderately, recognize from this inequality that you are far from perfect love. For perfect love presupposes that you love all men equally.
—St. Maximus the Confessor -
Far from feasting copiously, Epicurus was content with bread and water, which prevented him from starving and so abated any pain. He was not opposed to the occasional indulgence, at one point writing in correspondence, “Send me a little pot of cheese, that, when I like, I may fare sumptuously,” but once he’d sated his hunger, he thought no greater pleasure would come from actively seeking more elaborate dining.
Hedonism holds the secret to a happier life, but not for the reasons you think
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St. Diodochos of Photiki explains another important principal for those who tend to be very zealous:
“It is in no way contrary to the principles of true knowledge to eat and drink from all that is set before you, giving thanks to God; for “everything is very good” (cf. Gen I.31). But gladly to abstain from eating too pleasurably or too much shows great discrimination and understanding. However, we shall not gladly detach ourselves from the pleasures of this life unless we have fully and consciously tasted the sweetness of God.”
Notice how St. Diodochos says “gladly” to abstain and detach ourselves. This is key: we only can gladly abstain when we’ve tasted something better, “the sweetness of God.” It’s difficult to exercise self-control in the right spirit if we have not experienced the sweetness of God, or if we have forgotten our “first love” (Rev 2.4). But it’s common for those tempted by zealousness to try to jump to the top of the ladder right away, rather than going up one step at a time, to use the image of St. Dorotheos. They see that something is better, and assume they must accomplish it right away.
Glory and Honor: Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage
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Do not shorten the morning by getting up late, or waste it in unworthy occupations or in talk; look upon it as the quintessence of life, as to a certain extent sacred. Evening is like old age: we are languid, talkative, silly. Each day is a little life: every waking and rising a little birth, every fresh morning a little youth, every going to rest and sleep a little death.
—Arthur Schopenhauer -
Prayer is learning to live, without expecting to see results; it is learning to love, without hoping to see return; it is learning to be, without demanding to have. We cannot live and love and simply be, unless we are consumed by a total commitment to detachment.
In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers
SO GOOD QUOTES 