In the spiritual life we can do nothing worthy without repentance, but the Lord has much mercy on us because of our intentions. He who compels himself and holds on to repentance until the end, even if he sins is saved because he compelled himself, for the Lord promised this in the Gospel.

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

No one is as good and merciful as the Lord. But even He does not forgive the unrepentant.

A man who is enticed by sinful thoughts is blinded by them, and he sees the action of sin in himself, but he can not see the cause of this action.

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?

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.

Whoever prays for those who hurt him lays the demons low; but he who opposes his affronter is bound to the demons.