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!

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

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

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

From Spiritual Directions of Diadochus of Photiki

The acme of humbleness is to forget unfalteringly good deeds of oneself.

The one who wants to love God has to take care about the purity of the soul, first of all. This purity is attained through conquering the passions. (The one who has not conquered the passions cannot enter) the chaste and pure region of the heart. Do not hate a sinner, for we all are to be res­pon­sible.