How can one laugh at a clergyman? So what if he serves poorly? He still has grace. He is ordained. One must not, must not, laugh!
+ St. Anatoly of Optina, quoted from Living Without Hypocrisy: Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina
Tag Archives: Short Quotes
St. Ambrose of Optina: In the beginning, envy is revealed through . . .
In the beginning, envy is revealed through inappropriate zeal and rivalry, and later by fervour with spite and the blaming of the one who is envied.
+ St. Ambrose of Optina, quoted from Living Without Hypocrisy: Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina
St. Mark the Ascetic: . . . without affliction virtue has not been tested.
Do not claim to have acquired virtue unless you have suffered affliction, for without affliction virtue has not been tested.
+ St. Mark the Ascetic, On the Spiritual Law Two Hundred Texts, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 1)
St. Ambrose of Optina: . . . you should care about the main thing . . .
“You must not be greatly troubled about many things, but you should care for the main thing — preparing yourself for death.”
+ St. Ambrose of Optina, quoted from Living Without Hypocrisy: Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina
St. Mark the Ascetic: Let all involuntary suffering teach you to . . .
Let all involuntary suffering teach you to remember God, and you will not lack occasion for repentance.
+ St. Mark the Ascetic, “On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts” No. 57, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 1)
St. Anatoly of Optina: Wherever God is — there is peace. And the opposite is self-evident . . .
“Wherever God is — there is peace. And the opposite is self-evident: where there is envy, enmity, impatience, self-love — there is the devil. Wherever the devil is — there, everything is ruinous, proud and hostile.”
+ St. Anatoly of Optina, quoted from Living Without Hypocrisy: Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina
St. Isaac the Syrian: A man can never learn what divine power is . . .
“A man can never learn what divine power is while he abides in comfort and spacious living.” 
+ St. Isaac the Syrian, “Homily 72: On Faith and Humility,” Ascetical Homilies of St Isaac the Syrian
St. Thalassios the Libyan: It is not difficult to get rid of material things . . .
“It is not difficult to get rid of material things if you so desire; but only with great effort will you be able to get rid of thoughts about them…”
+ St. Thalassios the Libyan, “On Love, Self-Control and Life in Accordance with the Intellect,” 3.23, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 2)
St. Thalassios the Libyan: The first renunciation is that of material things . . .
“The first renunciation is that of material things, the second that of the passions, the third that of ignorance.”
+ St. Thalassios the Libyan, “On Love, Self-Control and Life in Accordance with the Intellect,” 3.23, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 2)
St. Thalassios the Libyan: The person advancing in the spiritual life studies three things . . .
“The person advancing in the spiritual life studies three things: the commandments, doctrine, and faith in the Holy Trinity.”
+ St. Thalassios the Libyan, “On Love, Self-Control and Life in Accordance with the Intellect,” 3.28, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 2)