John Cassian Quotes
...whoever is guided solely by his own judgment and decision will never climb up to the summit of perfection and will not fail to be the victim of the devil's ruinous power to delude.
The bond between friends cannot be broken by chance; no interval of time or space can destroy it. Not even death itself can part true friends.
...we should realize that there are three sources for our thoughts - God, the devil, and ourselves.
No structure of virtue can possibly be raised in our soul unless, first, the foundations of true humility are laid in our heart.
A clear rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied.
It is a bigger miracle to be patient and refrain from anger than it is to control the demons which fly through the air.
No other virtue makes man more equal to the angels, than the imitation of their way of life.
It is by means of these that we attain perfect love, through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory through all the ages. Amen.
The thief who received the kingdom of heaven, though not as the reward of virtue, is a true witness to the fact that salvation is ours through the grace and mercy of God.
Humility, in its turn, can be achieved only through faith, fear of God, gentleness and the shedding of all possessions.
All of our holy fathers knew this and all with one accord teach that perfection in holiness can be achieved only through humility.
It is not an external enemy we dread. Our foe is shut up within ourselves. An internal warfare is daily waged by us.