A man who hates the passion cuts off their causes. But a man who remains among their causes experiences even against his will the conflict from the passions. It is not possible to be mentally inclined toward a passion if one does not love its cause. For who, disdaining shame, is given to vainglory? Or who, loving lowliness, is bothered by dishonor? Who, having a broken and humble heart, accepts fleshly sweetness? Or who, believing in Christ, is concerned about temporal things, or argues about them?

Do not think about or do anything without a spiritual purpose, whereby it is done for God. For If you travel without purpose, you shall labor in vain.

The devil makes small sins seem smaller in our eyes, for otherwise he can't lead us to greater evil.

One evil receives strength from another. In the same way, good deeds also sprout one from another, and the one in whom they are found grows larger.

He who seeks forgiveness of his sins loves humility, but if he condemns another he seals his own wickedness.

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

We cannot with all our heart forgive someone who does us wrong unless we possess real knowledge. For this knowledge shows us that we deserve all we experience.