evil

It often happens that someone sees himself sitting peacefully and quietly, but when his brother says a word that upsets him, he is troubled.  Thus, he thinks that he is justly upset with him, saying, 'If he hadn't come and spoken to me and troubled me, I wouldn't have sinned.'  But this is folly and absurdity.  Did the person that spoke to him give him that passion?  He simply showed him that the passion existed within him, so that, if he wanted to, he could repent of it.  He is like fine bread bread that shines on the outside, but when one breaks it, he see its moldeness.  In just the same way, he was sitting, as he thought, in peace, but he had this passion inside him he was unaware of.  His brother said one word and revealed the filth hidden inside him.  Therefore if he wants to receive mercy, he must repent, purify himself, progress and he must understand that he ought to thank his brother for being the great cause of his spiritual benefit.

In England, when people bow before the queen, they do so out of respect, but it does not imply any repentance.  But when we bow before Christ, it means that we are ready to empty ourselves from an evil mind, from any evil thought or act, or any evil thing in our lives.

Of all the evil I deem you capable.  Therefore I want the good from you.  Verily I have often laughed at weaklings who thought themselves good because they had no claws.

Like the apple of Thine eye preserve me, O Lord God; defend me and beneath Thy wings shelter me from temptations.

Believe me, brethren, even if someone has just one passion as a habit, he will be subject to hell.  Even if we do ten good deeds and one bad one, the bad one outweighs the good.  It is like the eagle that is not captured by the snare, but only his claw is caught.  Because of this he is captured and loses all his strength.  Even if his whole body is outside the snare except just his claw can we say he has escaped?  Anytime he so desires, the person who has placed the trap can take him.  It is the same with the soul.  If it has one passion hardened into a habit, the enemy can cast it down anytime he wishes because he controls it through that passion.  It is for this reason that I will always tell you not to allow any passion to become a habit.

The most important work that a spiritual wrestler can do is to enter
within the heart, there to fight Satan; to hate and repel the thoughts
that he inspires and to wage war upon him.

Just as sparks rise from the fire.  So is man born into troubles.

Do not rail against anyone, but rather say, "God knows each one."  Do not agree with him who slanders, do not rejoice at his slander and do not hate him who slanders his nieghbor.  This is what it means not to judge.

Do not hate evils in others when they exist in yourself.  Rather, show hatred for the evils in your own person.

The devils greatest weapon is convincing people he doesn't exist.