If you want to conquer conceit, do not desire praise, laurels, nice garments, respect, favor, but like to be blamed and slandered by people.

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

The one who wants to love God has to take care about the purity of the soul, first of all.

There are many possibilities that people can choose from. There are bad and there are good ones. So, look carefully to choose for yourself the noble path... ... Do not let the deeds and thoughts of other people confuse you; let them not prompt you to do or say anything evil! Listen to others' advice and deliberate yourself. Only fools acts thoughtlessly, without consideration!

Grieve only if you have committed a sin, but even in this case do not grieve too much, otherwise you may become desperate.

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

From Spiritual Directions of Diadochus of Photiki