We must receive the one who curses us as a messenger from God, rebuking our hidden evil thoughts, so that we, seeing our thoughts with exactness, might correct ourselves. For we do not know how many hidden evils we have; Only a perfect man can understand all of his own shortcomings.

When the mind forgets the purpose of Christian life, then even the clear fulfillment of virtue becomes profitless.

God values deeds according to their intentions. For it is said, "The Lord grant unto you according to your heart" (Ps. 19:5) ... Therefore, whoever wants to do something but can't is considered as having done it by God, who sees the intentions of our hearts. This applies to both good and evil deeds alike.

If someone falls into any sin and is not sincerely grieved about it, it is easy for him to fall into the same thing again.

Every sin that is left without repentance is a sin unto death, for which if even a saint shall pray, he shall not be heard.

Whoever with fear of God corrects and directs a sinner gains virtue for himself, that of opposition to sin. But whoever insults a sinner with rancor and without good will falls, according to a spiritual law, into the same passion with the sinner.

As water and fire oppose one another when combined, so are self-justification and humility opposed to one another.