"Prayer is called a virtue, but in reality it is the mother of the virtues: for it gives birth to them through union with Christ."

“Ignorance makes us reject what is beneficial; and when it becomes brazen it strengthens the hold of evil.”

“However great our virtuous actions of today, they do not requite but condemn our past negligence.”

“A passion which we allow to grow active within us through our own choice afterwards forces itself upon us against our will.”

“Do not listen to talk about other people's sins. For through such listening the form of these sins is imprinted on you.”

“He who does not choose to suffer for the sake of truth will be chastened more painfully by suffering he has not chosen.”

“Do not say: 'I do not know what is right, therefore I am not to blame when I fail to do it.' For if you did all the good about which you do know, what you should do next would then become clear to you.”