“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
“The person who loves God cannot help loving every man as himself, even though he is grieved by the passions of those who are not yet purified. But when they amend their lives, his delight is indescribable and knows no bounds.” KnowsMenPersonsHelpingChristianPassionBoundsDelightEvery ManGod LoveOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianIndescribable Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Many have said much about love, but you will find love itself only if you seek it among the disciples of Christ. For only they have true Love as love's teacher. 'Though I have the gift of prophecy', says St. Paul, 'and know all mysteries and all knowledge? and have no love, it profits me nothing' (I Cor. 13:2-3). He who possesses love possesses God Himself, for 'God is love' (I Jn. 4:8). To Him be glory throughout the ages. Amen.” IfsKnowsSaidAgeChristianChristTeacherMysteryGloryProfitOrthodoxDiscipleProphecyFinding LoveOrthodox ChristianAmenNo LoveGod Is Love Author:Maximus the Confessor
“'The long-suffering man abounds in understanding' (Prov. 14:29), because he endures everything to the end and, while awaiting that end, patiently bears his distress. The end, as St. Paul says, is everlasting life (cf. Rom. 6:22). 'And this is eternal life, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent' (Jn. 17:3).” KnowsMenLongEndsMightChristianSufferingJesusUnderstandingChristBearsEternalJesus ChristEndureOrthodoxDistressEverlastingEternal LifeOrthodox ChristianCfsTrue GodLong SufferingEverlasting Life Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Those who, animal-like, live solely according to the senses... misuse God's creation in order to indulge the passions. They do not understand the principle of that wisdom which is revealed to all: that we should know and praise God through His creation and that by means of the visible world we should understand whence we came, what we are, for what purpose we were made and where we are going. On the contrary, they travel through this present age in darkness... with... ignorance of God.” KnowsWorldShouldMeanMadeAgeChristianPurposeOrderPassionAnimalPrinciplesDarknessCreationIgnorancePraiseContrarySensesVisibleOrthodoxIndulgeMisusePraise GodGod's Creation Author:Maximus the Confessor