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.
Marcus EremitaGod tested Abraham. That is, he sent him afflictions for his benefit, not so that he could find out what sort of man he was, for God knows everything, but so that He give him the means to perfect his faith.
Marcus EremitaA 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.
Marcus EremitaOne 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.
Marcus Eremita