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The thief who received the kingdom of heaven. . .

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The thief who received the kingdom of heaven, though not as the reward of virtue, is a true witness to the fact that salvation is ours through the grace and mercy of God.

All of our holy fathers knew this and all with one accord teach that perfection in holiness can be achieved only through humility.

Humility, in its turn, can be achieved only through faith, fear of God, gentleness and the shedding of all possessions.

It is by means of these that we attain perfect love, through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory through all the ages. Amen.

+ St. John Cassian,  The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 1), “On the Eight Vices: On Pride”

 

Believe that others are. . .

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“Believe that others are better than you in the depths of their soul, although outwardly you may appear better than they.”

— St. Augustine of Hippo

If you see your neighbour. . .

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If you see your neighbour in sin, don’t look only at this, but also think about what he has done or does that is good, and infrequently trying this in general, while not partially judging, you will find that he is better than you.”

— St. Basil the Great, Conversations, 20

 

Reject pride, and. . .

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Reject pride, and consider everyone more righteous than yourself

-St Anthony the great.

A time is coming when men will. . .

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“A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad; you are not like us.’”

+ St. Anthony the Great, The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection

 

Bind up thy words that they. . .

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Bind up thy words that they run not riot, and grow wanton, and gather up sins for themselves in too much talking. Let them be rather confined, and held back within their own banks. An overflowing river quickly gathers mud.

-Saint Ambrose of Milan

Virtues are formed by. . .

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“Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.”

— Ephrem the Syrian

“Yea, O Lord and King, grant me. . .

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“Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sin and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed from all ages to all ages. Amen”

— Ephrem the Syrian

St. Ephrem of Syria: Virtues are formed by prayer. . . .

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“Virtues are formed by prayer.

Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy.

Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.”

— St. Ephrem of Syria