“Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.” IfsMadeVirtueDoubtHumilityPrideDevilAngelDemonNo Doubt Author:John Climacus
“A discerning man, when he eats grapes, takes only the ripe ones and leaves the sour. Thus also the discerning mind carefully marks the virtues which he sees in any person. A mindless man seeks out the vices and failings ... Even if you see someone sin with your own eyes, do not judge; for often even your eyes are deceived.” IfsMenInspirationalMindPersonsEyeChristianReligiousSinVirtueFailingJudgingMarkVicesOrthodoxDeceivedGrapesRipeSourMindlessDiscerningDo Not Judge Author:John Climacus
“An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.” MayPassionAsksHeavenVirtueHumilityPrideAngelChristian Humility Book:The Ladder of Divine Ascent Source: The Ladder of Divine Ascent
“It can happen that when we are at prayer some brothers come to see us. Then we have to choose either to interrupt our prayer or to sadden our brother by refusing to answer him. But love is greater than prayer. Prayer is one virtue among others, whereas love contains them all.” HappensSpiritualPrayerAnswersLove IsVirtueGreaterBrotherOur Prayers Author:John Climacus
“The offspring of virtue is perseverance. The fruit and offspring of perseverance is habit and child of habit is character.” ChildrenCharacterVirtueHabitFruitPerseveranceOffspring Book:John Climacus (CWS) Source: John Climacus (CWS)
“Even though one is well advanced in virtue, should he stop mortifying himself, he soon would lose his modesty and virtue - just as fertile soul quickly becomes dry and arid and produces nothing but thorns and thistles if it is not cultivated.” IfsShouldWellsSoulLosesVirtueProduceDryAttachmentModestyThornsFertileThistles Author:John Climacus
