By accepting a suspicion against the neighbor, by saying, 'What does it matter if I put in a word about my suspicion? What does it matter if I find out what my brother is saying or what a guest is doing?' the mind begins to forget about its own sins and to talk idly about his neighbor, speaking evil against him, despising him, and from this he falls into the very thing he condemns. Because we become careless about our own faults and do not lament our own death, we lose the power to correct ourselves and we are always at work on our neighbor.
Dorotheus of GazaIf we have true love with sympathy and patient labor, we shall not go about scrutinizing our neighbor's shortcomings.
Dorotheus of GazaIn the measure that we pay attention and take care to carry out what we hear, God will always enlighten us and make us understand His will.
Dorotheus of GazaThe devil loves and always rejoices over the ungoverned; those who are not subject to one who has power, under God, to help them and to give them a hand.
Dorotheus of GazaA great means to preserve continual peace and tranquillity of soul is to receive everything from the hands of God, both great and small, and in whatever way it comes.
Dorotheus of GazaThen God came to the woman and said to her, "Why did you not keep the commandment?" as if He wanted to say, "At least you, say forgive me, so as to humble your soul and to receive mercy." Again, there was no request for forgiveness. She also answered, "The serpent deceived me," as if she wanted to say, "If the serpent sinned, where is my mistake?"
Dorotheus of Gaza