“Let us be satisfied simply with what sustains our present life, not with what pampers it. Let us pray to God for this, as we have been taught, so that we may keep our souls unenslaved and absolutely free from domination by any of the visible things loved for the sake of the body. Let us show that we eat for the sake of living, and not be guilty of living for the sake of eating. The first is a sign of intelligence, the second proof of its absence.” FirstsMayHas BeensSoulShowsBodyChristianTaughtPrayingEatingSakeProofAbsenceSatisfiedGuiltyVisibleOrthodoxDominationPraying To GodPresent Life Author:Maximus the Confessor
“He who has not yet attained divine knowledge energized by love is proud of his spiritual progress. But he who has been granted such knowledge repeats with deep conviction the words uttered by the patriarch Abraham when he was granted the manifestation of God: 'I am dust and ashes' (Gen. 18:27).” Has BeensChristianSpiritualLove IsProgressDivineProudConvictionDustGrantedManifestationRepeatsOrthodoxAshesOrthodox ChristianAbrahamSpiritual ProgressPatriarch Author:Maximus the Confessor
“When you are insulted by someone or humiliated, guard against angry thoughts, lest they arouse a feeling of irritation, and so cut you off from love and place you in the realm of hatred. You should know that you have been greatly benefited when you have suffered deeply because of some insult or indignity; for by means of the indignity self-esteem has been driven out of you.” KnowsShouldMeanHas BeensSelfFeelingsChristianCuttingSelf EsteemHatredAngryDrivenEsteemRealmsInsultOrthodoxInsultedHumiliatedIrritationIndignity Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Every genuine confession humbles the soul. When it takes the form of thanksgiving, it teaches the soul that it has been delivered by the grace of God.” Has BeensSoulChristianFormTeachGraceGenuineOrthodoxConfessionGrace Of GodOrthodox Christian Author:Maximus the Confessor
“When what has been created in time according to the temporal order has reached maturity, it ceases from natural growth. But when what has been brought about by the knowledge of God through the practice of the virtues has reached maturity, it starts to grow anew. For the end of one stage constitutes the starting point of the next.” Has BeensEndsChristianOrderNextGrowsGrowthNaturalPracticeVirtueStageStartingCeaseMaturityOrthodoxStarting PointKnowledge Of God Author:Maximus the Confessor
“When we think of the height of God's infinity we should not despair of His compassion reaching us from such a height; and when we recall the infinite depth of our fall through sin we should not refuse to believe that the virtue which has been killed in us will rise again. For God can accomplish both these things: He can come down and illumine our intellect with spiritual knowledge, and He can raise up the virtue within us and exalt it with Himself through works of righteousness.” ThinkingShouldBelieveHas BeensChristianSpiritualFallSinCompassionVirtueDespairInfiniteDown AndRaisesDepthRefuseAccomplishIntellectHeightReachingOrthodoxRighteousnessInfinityRecallsRaise UpSpiritual Knowledge Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Our Savior was crucified for our sakes that by His death He might give us life and train and attract us all to endurance. To Him I press on, and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit. I strive to be found true, judging myself unworthy of this world's goods; and yet not I because of the world, but the world because of me. Think of all these things in your heart; follow them with zeal; fight, as you have been commanded, for the truth to the death: For Christ was made 'obedient' even 'to death'” ThinkingWorldGivingHeartHas BeensMadeMightChristianSpiritFightingFoundFatherChristThis WorldJudgingHolyPressesTrainStriveSakeHoly SpiritEnduranceOrthodoxGoodsSaviorZealOrthodox ChristianUnworthyObedientJudging Myself Author:Saint Basil
“... the more have been your trials, look for a more perfect reward from your just Judge. Do not take your present troubles ill. Do not lose hope. Yet a little while and your Helper will come to you and will not tarry (cf. Hab. 2:3).” LooksLittlesHas BeensChristianLosesPerfectTroubleJudgingRewardsIllTrialsOrthodoxCfsHelpers Author:Saint Basil
“...[sacred] doctrine is especially based upon arguments from authority, inasmuch as its principles are obtained by revelation: thus we ought to believe on the authority of those to whom the revelation has been made. Nor does this take away from the dignity of this doctrine, for although the argument from authority based on human reason is the weakest, yet the argument from authority based on divine revelation is the strongest.” BelieveHumansDoeHas BeensMadeReasonChristianPrinciplesDivineOughtAuthorityArgumentDignitySacredDoctrineRevelationsOrthodoxStrongestHuman ReasonDivine Revelation Book:The Summa Theologica: Complete Edition Source: The Summa Theologica: Complete Edition
“I think that the influence towards suppression of minority views - towards orthodoxy in thinking about public issues - has been more subconscious than unconscious, stemming to a very great extent from the tendency of Americans to conform...not to deviate or depart from an orthodox point of view.” ThinkingHas BeensJusticeViewsIssuesInfluencePoint Of ViewTendenciesUnconsciousMinoritiesOrthodoxSubconsciousConformOrthodoxySuppressionDeviate Author:William O. Douglas