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

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.

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.

Do not attempt to benefit by rebukes one who boasts of his virtues, for he loves to display himself can not be a lover of truth.

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

He who willingly accepts chastening by affliction is not dominated by evil thoughts against his will; whereas he who does not accept affliction is taken prisoner by evil thoughts, even though he resists them.

Failure to do the good that is within your power is hard to forgive. But mercy and prayer reclaim the negligent.