...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.

The Doctor of our souls has placed the remedy in the hidden regions of the soul.

True knowledge is found only among those genuinely worshiping God.

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.

Holding Eleanor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive.

Praying is a persuasive act.

Michael had learned the hard way that nothing good came from interfering in the affairs of the afterlife.

A real salesman knows how to engage Anyone Anywhere Anytime in a sensible conversation.

I would recommend the short story form, which is a lot harder to write since you have to be so careful with words, until there is plenty of time to doodle through a novel

The heart needs not for its heaven much space, nor many stars therein, if only the star of love has arisen.

My publisher feels that my readers are loyal to the voice of my stories, the characters I'm creating.

Congratulate yourself if you have done something strange, extravagant and broken the monotony.

Tend your own garden: savor the blossoms, trim the weeds.

Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.