Quote

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

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John Climacus
Monk
Philosopher
Saint
sy
Saint John Climacus
Even
Eye
Judging
Carefully
Eats
Mind
Christian
Sin
Virtues
Grapes
Men
Often
Failing
Vices
Sour
Inspirational
Ones
Sees
Ripe
Someone
Virtue
Leaves
Marks
Also
Takes
Judge
Deceived
Failings
Persons
Eyes
Thus
Seeks
Discerning
Person
Religious
Mark
Orthodox
Mindless

More quotes by 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
The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.
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
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
Pride is the utter poverty of soul disguised as riches, imaginary light where in fact there is darkness.
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
Simplicity is an enduring habit within a soul that has grown impervious to evil thoughts.
John Climacus
Image
Often the Lord heals vainglory by dishonor.
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. In secret he converses with him and receives his light.
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
Fight to escape from your own cleverness. If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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
The friend of silence comes close to 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
Ascend, my brothers, ascend eagerly. Let your hearts' resolve be to climb. Listen to the voice of the one who says: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of our God' (Isa. 2:3), Who makes our feet to be like the feet of the deer, 'Who sets us on the high places, that we may be triumphant on His road' (Hab. 3:19).
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
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
A proud monk needs no demon. He has turned into one, an enemy to himself.
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