Someone who has actually tasted truth is not contentious for truth. Someone who is considered by people to be zealous for truth has not yet learned what truth is really like; once he has truly learned it, he will cease from zealousness on its behalf.

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.

Someone who bears a grudge while he prays is like a person who sows in the sea and expects to reap a harvest.

The prayer of one who does not consider himself a sinner is not accepted by the Lord.

God requires not the doing of the commandments for their own sake, but the correction of the soul, for whose sake He established the commandments.

The man who follows Christ in solitary mourning is greater than he who praises Christ amid the congregation of men.

If you are truly merciful, then when what is yours is unjustly taken, don't be sad inside, and do not tell of our loss to your neighbor. Let a better loss, inflicted by those who insult you, be absorbed by your mercy.