The pastor should always be pure in thought ... no impurity ought to pollute him who has undertaken the office of wiping away the stains in the hearts of others ... for the hand that would cleanse from dirt must be clean, lest, being itself sordid with clinging mire, it soil whatever it touches all the more.

The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.

You don't climb a mountain in leaps and bounds, but by taking it slowly.

The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of Heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the Angels.

Because He moves against faults, God is said to be angered, although He is moved by no disturbance of equanimity.

Whatsoever then you have well in this world, when you recollect to have done any thing good, be very fearful about it, lest the prosperity granted you be your recompense for the same good. And when you behold poor men doing any thing blameably, fear not, seeing that perhaps those whom the remains of the slightest iniquity defiles, the fire of honesty cleanses.

He who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exemplify the highest things.