“If zeal had been appropriate for putting humanity right, why did God the Word clothe himself in the body, using gentleness and humility in order to bring the world back to his Father?” IfsWorldBodyHumanityOrderFatherHumilityAppropriateGentlenessZeal Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If you cannot close the mouth of one who reviles his brother, at least avoid conversation with him.” IfsInspirationalChristianReligiousBrotherConversationMouthsOrthodox Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If, at the time when the mind is praying it is distracted by any extraneous thought or worry about anything, then this prayer is not called pure.” IfsInspirationalMindChristianReligiousPrayerWorryPrayingPureOrthodoxDistracted Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“Whoever hates his sins will stop sinning; and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A man can not abandon the habit of sin if he does not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can he receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the cause of true humility.” IfsMenInspirationalFirstsDoeChristianHateCausesReligiousSinHumilityHabitGainsAbandonOrthodoxConfessionCan NotEnmitySinningRemissionTrue Humility Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If you are truly merciful, then when what is yours is unjustly taken, don't be sad inside, and do not tell of our loss to your neighbor. Let a better loss, inflicted by those who insult you, be absorbed by your mercy.” IfsInspirationalChristianReligiousLossTakenMercyNeighborInsultOrthodoxMercifulInsults YouDon't Be Sad Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If a man does not argue with the thoughts that the enemy secretly sows in us, but by prayer to God uproots conversation with them, this is a sign that his mind has attained wisdom, and that he has found a short path.” IfsMenInspirationalMindDoeChristianFoundReligiousPrayerEnemyPathConversationArguingOrthodox Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“It is impossible to draw near to God without sorrows, without which human righteousness cannot remain unchanged... If you desire virtue, than give yourself to every affliction, for afflictions produce humility. If someone abides in virtue without afflictions, the door of pride is opened to him.” IfsInspirationalGivingHumansChristianDesireReligiousVirtueImpossibleDoorsProduceHumilityPrideSorrowDrawsOrthodoxRighteousnessAffliction Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If you practice an excellent virtue without perceiving the taste of its aid, do not marvel; for until a man becomes humble, he will not receive a reward for his labor. Recompense is given, not for labor, but for humility.” IfsMenGivenPracticeVirtueHumilityTasteLaborRewardsHumbleAidsExcellentRecompense Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“Behold, for years and generations, the way of God has been leveled by the cross and by death. How is this with thee, that thou seest the afflictions of the way as if they were out of the way? Doest not thou wish to follow the steps of the saints? Or doest thou wish to go a way which is especially for thee, without suffering? the way unto God is a daily cross. No one can ascend unto heaven with comfort, we know where the way of comfort leads.” IfsKnowsWayYearsHas BeensSufferingHeavenWishStepsGenerationsComfortCrossesSaintTheeAffliction Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“Humility collects the soul into a single point by the power of silence. A truly humble man has no desire to be known or admired by others, but wishes to plunge from himself into himself, to become nothing, as if he had never been born. When he is completely hidden to himself in himself, he is completely with God” IfsMenSoulDesireWishBornSilenceKnownHumilityHumblePlungeHumble Man Author:Isaac of Nineveh