Quote

When a man has found the Lord, he no longer has to use words when he is praying, for the Spirit Himself will intercede for him with groans that cannot be uttered.

John Climacus

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John Climacus
Monk
Philosopher
Saint
sy
Saint John Climacus
Men
Longer
Prayer
Lord
Words
Use
Intercede
Found
Groans
Spirit
Uttered
Cannot
Praying

More quotes by John Climacus

Image
Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.
John Climacus
Image
Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven's gate. Holy humility opens it.
John Climacus
Image
Become aware of God, in whose presence you are while you pray . . . Then take a formula of prayer and recite it with perfect attention both to the words you are saying and to the Person to whom you are saying them.
John Climacus
Image
Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to Heaven.
John Climacus
Image
We know the utility of prayer from the efforts of the wicked spirits to distract us during the divine office and we experience the fruit of prayer in the defeat of our enemies.
John Climacus
Image
Do not make judgments, and you will travel no quicker road to the forgiveness of your sins. 'Judge not, so that you may not be judged' (Lk. 6:37).
John Climacus
Image
The man who pets a lion may tame it, but the man who coddles the body makes it ravenous.
John Climacus
Image
It can happen that when we are at prayer some brothers come to see us. Then we have to choose either to interrupt our prayer or to sadden our brother by refusing to answer him. But love is greater than prayer. Prayer is one virtue among others, whereas love contains them all.
John Climacus
Image
Often the Lord heals vainglory by dishonor.
John Climacus
Image
Pride is the utter poverty of soul disguised as riches, imaginary light where in fact there is darkness.
John Climacus
Image
The first stage of this tranquility consists in silencing the lips when the heart is excited. The second, in silencing the mind when the soul is still excited. The goal is a perfect peacefulness even in the middle of the raging storm.
John Climacus
Image
The slave of the belly ponders the menu with which to celebrate the feast. The servant of God, however, thinks of the graces that may enrich him.
John Climacus
Image
He does not show humility who accuses himself (for who will not accept rebukes from himself?), but he who, being rebuked by another, does not decrease his love toward him.
John Climacus
Image
A discerning man, when he eats grapes, takes only the ripe ones and leaves the sour. Thus also the discerning mind carefully marks the virtues which he sees in any person. A mindless man seeks out the vices and failings ... Even if you see someone sin with your own eyes, do not judge for often even your eyes are deceived.
John Climacus
Image
As fire does not give birth to snow, so those who seek honor here will not enjoy it in heaven... As those who climb a rotten ladder are in danger, so all honor, glory, and power are opposed to humility.
John Climacus
Image
I know a man who, when he saw a woman of striking beauty, praised the Creator for her. The sight of her lit within him the love of God.
John Climacus
Image
Confession is like a bridle that keeps the soul which reflects on it from committing sin, but anything left unconfessed we continue to do without fear as if in the dark.
John Climacus
Image
A proud monk needs no demon. He has turned into one, an enemy to himself.
John Climacus
Image
Forgetting offences is a sign of sincere repentance. If you keep the memory of them, you may believe you have repented but you are like someone running in his sleep. Let no one consider it a minor defect, this darkness that often clouds the eyes even of spiritual people.
John Climacus
Image
When you hear that your neighbor or friend has reproached you in your absence or presence, then show love and praise him.
John Climacus