Quote

Someone who is elated with wine speaks the truth on all subjects, even without meaning to. In the same way, anyone who is inebriated with the spirit of penitence will never be able to tell lies.

John Climacus

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John Climacus
Monk
Philosopher
Saint
sy
Saint John Climacus
Never
Tell
Saint
Spirit
Wine
Someone
Lies
Truth
Meaning
Able
Subjects
Inebriated
Without
Anyone
Elated
Even
Lying
Penitence
Way
Speak
Speaks

More quotes by John Climacus

Image
I would not consider my spirituality worthwhile that wants to walk in sweetness and ease and run from the imitation of Christ.
John Climacus
Image
Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven's gate. Holy humility opens it.
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
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 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
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
A servant of the Lord stands bodily before men, but mentally he is knocking at the gates of heaven with prayer.
John Climacus
Image
It happens, I do not know how, that most of the proud never really discover their true selves. They think they have conquered their passions and they find out how poor they really are only after they die.
John Climacus
Image
When people begin to praise us, let us hurry to remember the multitude of ours transgressions, and we will see that we are truly unworthy of that which they say and do in our honor.
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
Pride is the utter poverty of soul disguised as riches, imaginary light where in fact there is darkness.
John Climacus
Image
The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.
John Climacus
Image
Simplicity is an enduring habit within a soul that has grown impervious to evil thoughts.
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
Those who submit to the Lord with simple heart will run the good race. If they keep their minds on a leash, they will not draw the wickedness of the demons onto themselves.
John Climacus
Image
The friend of silence comes close to God.
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
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
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
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