Know that there are eight evil thoughts that bring about all that is vile: those of sensuality, lechery, love of money, anger, inappropriate grief, despondency, vainglory and pride. All these wage warfare against every person.
Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit and raises man to Heaven. The highest form of prayer is…
A sign of the soul that’s indifferent is that it doesn’t listen gladly to Holy Scripture, whereas the soul that’s watchful accepts the divine words in the same way as thirsty land welcomes rain. “Saint Ephraim the Syrian”
If people’s intellect isn’t illumined by divine teaching, their mind is a long way from the truth. “Saint Ephraim the Syrian”
Whether the sword is sent, or sickness, famine, death, or something else that’s considered appalling, they’re all sent to earth for our regeneration and correction, and so that we can concentrate our minds on devotion to God. Because every generation needs to be educated by a visit from the Lord. “Saint Ephraim the Syrian”