Whatever we do or say without prayer always ends up either sinful or harmful and convicts us through the deeds in some mysterious way.

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.

Whoever has a spiritual gift and compassionate toward one who does not have it guards his gift through his compassion. But whoever is proud of his gift loses it through self-opinion.

Every affliction tests our will, showing whether it is inclined to good or evil. That is why an unforeseen affliction is called a test, because it enables a man to test his hidden desires.

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.

Whoever does not fight the one who despises him, neither in word not in thought, has received true knowledge and demonstrates a firm trust in God.

Conquer temptations by the patience and prayer. If you oppose them without these, you will fall all the more severely.