“A passion is a contranatural movement of the soul or an irrational love, or an blindfold hatred toward any material thing, or because of it: for example, for food, or for women, or for riches, or for worldly glory, or any other sensible thing; or for the sake of such things, as in a senseless hatred for someone on account of the things mentioned above.” InspirationalSoulChristianPassionReligiousExampleMovementMaterialsGloryHatredAccountsSakeRichesOrthodoxSensibleIrrationalWorldlyMaterial ThingsBlindfolds Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Some passions are bodily, other spiritual. Bodily passions have their sources in the body, while spiritual ones come from external things. But love and temperance cut out both the one and the other: Love cuts out spiritual passions, and temperance bodily ones.” InspirationalBodyChristianSpiritualPassionReligiousCuttingSourceOrthodoxTemperance Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Unclean spirits increase the passions in us, making use of our negligence, and inciting them. But the angels decrease our passions, inciting us to the perfection of virtue.” InspirationalUseChristianSpiritPassionReligiousVirtueAngelPerfectionIncreaseOrthodoxDecreaseNegligence Author:Maximus the Confessor
“It is one thing to be delivered from bad thoughts, and another to be freed from the passions. Often people are delivered from thoughts, when they do not have before their eyes those things which produce passion. But the passions for them remain hidden in the soul, and when the things appear again the passions are revealed. Therefore it is necessary to guard the mind when these things appear, and to know toward which things you have a passion.” PeopleKnowsInspirationalMindSoulEyeChristianPassionReligiousOne ThingProduceOrthodoxBad Thoughts Author:Maximus the Confessor
“The mind of a man that loves God does not fight against things or thoughts about them, but against the passions that are connected with these thoughts. That is, he does not struggle against a woman, or against one who has insulted him, and not against the images of them, but against the passions that are aroused by these images.” MenInspirationalMindDoeChristianFightingPassionReligiousStruggleConnectedGod LoveOrthodoxInsultedInsulted Him Author:Maximus the Confessor
“The worst kind of sin is not to acknowledge that you are sinful.” InspirationalKindChristianReligiousSinWorstAcknowledgeOrthodox Author:Caesarius of Arles
“Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says, "You are a saint," the other, "You won't be saved." Both of these thoughts are from the enemy, and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful. He loves people very much, and He will forgive my sins.” PeopleThinkingWayInspirationalTwoChristianReligiousSinLordEnemyForgivingSaintSavedSinnerOrthodoxMerciful Author:Silouan the Athonite
“There are lots of those who speak but few who do. However, no one should distort the word of God by his own negligence, but it is better to confess your own weakness, not hiding the truth of God, so that together with the breaking of the commandments you do not also appear guilty of an untrustworthy explanation of the word of God.” InspirationalShouldChristianTogetherSpeakReligiousWeaknessGuiltyExplanationOrthodoxHidingWord Of GodCommandmentsNegligenceTruth Of GodUntrustworthyHiding The Truth Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Whoever prematurely begins a work that is above his strength receives nothing, but only brings harm upon himself.” InspirationalChristianReligiousHarmOrthodox Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“There are people who, when they encounter inability to understand, do not ask the Lord. But one must immediately say, "Lord, I am a sinful man and I don't understand as I should. But give me understanding, merciful One, as to how I must proceed." And the merciful Lord then inspires them as to what to do and what not to do.” PeopleMenInspirationalGivingShouldChristianAsksUnderstandingReligiousLordInspireGive MeEncountersOrthodoxInabilityMerciful Author:Silouan the Athonite
“Amma Theodora said: A certain monk, afflicted by many sorrows, said to himself, "Leave this place." With these words he began to put his sandals on his feet, and suddenly he saw the devil in the form of a man sitting in the corner of his cell. The devil was also putting on his sandals. He said to the monk, "Are you leaving here because of me? Well then, wherever you go, I will be there before you."” MenInspirationalWellsSaidChristianFormCertainReligiousSawsFeetSorrowDevilSittingLeavingCornersCellsOrthodoxMonkSandalsAmma Author:Ignatius Bryanchaninov
“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 keep spiritual peace if we do not take care of the mind, that is if we do not drive out thoughts that are displeasing to God and, on the contrary, keep thoughts which are pleasing to God. It is necessary to look into the heart with mind and see what is done there. Is it peaceful or not? If not, then find out in what you have sinned.” IfsInspirationalMindLooksHeartDoneCareChristianSpiritualReligiousImpossibleTake CareContraryPeacefulOrthodoxSpiritual Peace Author:Silouan the Athonite
“Do not seek earthly glory in any matter, for it is extinguished for him who loves it. In its time it blows on a man like a strong wind, and then quickly, taking from him the fruits of his good works, it goes away from him, laughing at his foolishness.” MenInspirationalMatterChristianStrongReligiousLaughingWindGloryFruitBlowOrthodoxWorking ItGood WorkFoolishnessStrong Winds Author:Gennadius of Constantinople
“The Lord bears all the weaknesses of men, but He does not bear a man who is always murmuring, and does not leave Him without chastisement.” MenInspirationalDoeChristianReligiousLordBearsWeaknessOrthodoxChastisementMurmuringWeakness Of Man Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If suffer some misfortune, then think: "The Lord sees my heart, and if it pleases Him, it will be well both for me and and others." And thus your soul will always be at peace. But is someone murmurs, "This is bad, and that is bad," then he will never have peace in his soul, even though he fasts and prays a lot.” IfsThinkingInspirationalWellsHeartSoulChristianSufferingReligiousLordPrayingMy HeartPleaseYour SoulOrthodoxMisfortunes Author:Silouan the Athonite
“Are you angry? Be angry at your sins, beat your soul, afflict your conscience, but strict in judgement and a terrible punisher of your own sins. This is the benefit of anger, wherefore God placed it in us.” InspirationalSoulChristianReligiousSinTerribleBenefitsBeatsConscienceAngryYour SoulJudgementOrthodoxStrictPunisher Author:Saint John Chrysostom
“Gluttony and satiety in food produce defiled lust, while free association with women enflames the fire of lusts ... At the time of struggle with defilement, punish your thoughts with lack of nourishment, so that you will think not of defilements, but of hunger, and reject the invitation to go visiting.” ThinkingInspirationalChristianReligiousStruggleFireProduceHungerLustRejectsOrthodoxAssociationInvitationsNourishmentVisitingGluttonySatietyDefilement Author:Nilus of Sinai
“Don't let your eyes look here and there, and don't look on someone elses' beauty, so that the devil will not conquer you with the help of your eyes.” InspirationalLooksHelpingEyeChristianReligiousDevilConquerOrthodoxHere And There Author:Ephrem the Syrian
“When you want to make a beginning of a good deed, first prepare for temptations, which will come to you, and don't doubt the truth of that which you do for God.” WantInspirationalFirstsChristianReligiousDoubtDeedsTemptationOrthodoxGood Deeds Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“No one can sense his own weakness is at least a small temptation is not allowed to afflict either his body or his soul. Then, comparing his weakness to the help of God, a man comes to know its magnitude. But whoever does not know that he needs God's help, let him make many prayers. Insofar as he multiplies them, in that measure will he be humbled.” KnowsMenInspirationalNeedsDoeSoulHelpingBodyChristianReligiousPrayerWeaknessTemptationCompareOrthodoxMagnitudeNeed God Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“There is no man who will not be grieved at the time of his chastisement; and there is not man who will not endure a bitter time, when he must drink the poison of temptations. Without them, it is not possible to obtain a strong will. When he has often experienced the help of God in temptations, a man also obtains strong faith.” MenInspirationalHelpingChristianStrongReligiousDrinkEndureBitterTemptationPoisonOrthodoxStrong WillChastisementStrong Faith Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“Without temptations, it is not possible to learn the wisdom of the Spirit. It is not possible that Divine love be strengthened in your soul. Before temptations, a man prays to God as a stranger. When temptations are allowed to come by the love of God, and he does not give in to them, then he stands before God as a sincere friend. For in fulfilling the will of God, he has made war on the enemy of God and conquered him.” MenInspirationalGivingDoeMadeWarSoulChristianSpiritReligiousLove IsEnemyDivinePrayingStrangerGods WillTemptationYour SoulGod LoveOrthodoxSincereFulfillingDivine LovePraying To GodSincere Friends Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one through whom it came, but seek out the reason. Thus you will find correction for your soul.” IfsInspirationalSoulReasonChristianReligiousBlameTemptationYour SoulUnexpectedOrthodoxCorrections Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Temptations come on some people for the cleansing of previous sins, on other for the beautification of their current perfection, and on yet others, as preparation for things to come, except temptations, which are for the increase of a man's faith and virtue, as it was with Job.” PeopleMenInspirationalChristianJobsReligiousSinVirtuePerfectionIncreaseCurrentsTemptationPreparationOrthodoxCleansingBeautification Author:Maximus the Confessor
“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
“Abba Dorotheos said: No matter what kind of sorrow comes to you, don't blame anyone but yourself, and say, "This has happened because of my sins."” InspirationalKindSaidMatterChristianReligiousSinHappenedSorrowNo Matter WhatBlameOrthodoxAbba Author:Ignatius Bryanchaninov
“A man of discernment, meditating on the healing Divine Providence, bears with thanksgiving the misfortunes that come to him. He sees their causes in his own sins, and not in anyone else. But a mindless man, when he sins and receives the punishment for it, considers the cause of his misfortune to be God, or people, not understanding God's care for him.” PeopleMenInspirationalCareChristianCausesUnderstandingReligiousSinHealingDivineBearsPunishmentOrthodoxMisfortunesProvidenceDiscernmentMeditatingMindlessDivine ProvidenceUnderstanding God Author:Maximus the Confessor
“If we were not passionately inclined to money or to vainglory, then we would not fear death or poverty. We would not know enmity or hatred, and we would not suffer from the sorrows of ourselves or others.” IfsKnowsInspirationalChristianSufferingReligiousPovertySorrowHatredOrthodoxFear Of DeathEnmity Author:Saint John Chrysostom
“Afflictions for God's sake are dearer to Him than any prayer or sacrifice.” InspirationalChristianReligiousPrayerSacrificeSakeOrthodoxAffliction Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“Humility and suffering free a man from all sin; for the first cuts out spiritual passions, and the latter bodily.” MenInspirationalFirstsChristianSpiritualSufferingPassionReligiousSinCuttingHumilityLatterOrthodox Author:Maximus the Confessor
“We suffer because we have no humility and we do not love our brother. From love of our brother comes the love of God. People do not learn humility, and because of their pride cannot receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, and therefor the whole world suffers.” PeopleWorldInspirationalWholeChristianSpiritSufferingReligiousGraceHumilityBrotherPrideHolyWhole WorldGod LoveHoly SpiritOrthodox Author:Silouan the Athonite
“If you want to attain salvation, learn and keep in your heart all that the holy Church teaches and, receiving heavenly power from the mysteries of the Church, walk the path of Christ's commandments, under the direction of lawful pastors, and you will undoubtedly attain the Heavenly Kingdom and be saved. All of this is naturally necessary in the matter of salvation, necessary in it entirety and for all. Whoever rejects or neglects any part of it has no salvation.” IfsWantInspirationalHeartMatterChristianChristChurchReligiousWalksTeachPathMysteryHolySalvationSavedKingdomsHeavenlyRejectsOrthodoxNeglectReceivingCommandmentsPastorEntirety Author:Theophan the Recluse
“A Christian receives divine wisdom in three ways: by the commandments, teachings, and faith. The commandments free the mind from passions. Teachings lead it to true knowledge of nature. Faith leads to the contemplation of the Holy Trinity.” WayInspirationalMindChristianPassionThreeReligiousTeachingDivineHolyContemplationOrthodoxCommandmentsTrinityTrue KnowledgeThree WaysDivine WisdomHoly Trinity Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Our world is guided by two principles and sources: God and the devil. All that is better in the world of men has its source in God, and all that is bad has the devil as its principle and source. In the final account, all good comes from God, and all evil from the devil.” MenWorldInspirationalTwoChristianEvilReligiousPrinciplesSourceDevilAccountsFinalsOrthodoxOur World Author:Justin Popovic
“In truth there is only one freedom - the holy freedom of Christ, whereby He freed us from sin, from evil, from the devil. It binds us to God. All other freedoms are illusory, false, that is to say, they are all, in fact, slavery.” InspirationalFactsChristianEvilChristReligiousSinHolyDevilSlaveryOrthodoxIllusory Author:Justin Popovic
“God hears and fulfills the prayer of a man who fulfills His commandments. "Hear God in His commandments," says St. John Chrysostom, "So that He might hear you in your prayers." A man who keeps the commandments of God is always wise, patient, and sincere in his prayers. Mystery of prayer consists in the keeping of God's commandments.” MenInspirationalMightChristianReligiousPrayerWiseMysteryPatientOrthodoxSincereCommandmentsOur PrayersCommandments Of God Author:Justin Popovic
“God abides in each commandment by His gracious power. "God is hidden in His commandments", says St. Mark the Ascetic. God helps everyone who strives to keep His commandments. That God abides in us we know by the Spirit, which He has given us. This means that a Christian is never alone, but that he lives and works together with the Thrice-Holy God.” KnowsInspirationalMeanHelpingChristianTogetherSpiritGivenReligiousHolyMarkStriveWorking TogetherOrthodoxCommandmentsStrifeGraciousGod HelpThriceHoly God Author:Justin Popovic