Listen to others' advice and deliberate yourself. Only fools acts thoughtlessly, without consideration!

The acme of faith is... immersion of the mind in God.

The acme of freedom from wealth is to desire to be possessionless even as others desire to possess.

Do not hate a sinner, for we all are to be res­pon­sible.

The acme of love is to enhance your friendly attitude to those who insult and revile you.

If you want to conquer lust for wealth, love selflessness and sparing way of life. If you want to conquer anger, develop meekness and generosity. Grieve only if you have committed a sin, but even in this case do not grieve too much, otherwise you may become desperate. If you want to conquer conceit, do not desire praise, laurels, nice garments, respect, favor, but like to be blamed and slandered by people... If you want to conquer pride, do not say that your deed was done by your hands and might; say that with God's help and guidance it was done, not by my power and efforts.

And "withdrawal from the world" is nothing but the destruction of passions and manifestation of the innermost life in Christ.