Because God's justice is inexorable, it is hard to obtain forgiveness for sins committed with complete deliberation.

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.

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

Every sin that is left without repentance is a sin unto death, for which if even a saint shall pray, he shall not be heard.

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.

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.

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.