John Chrysostom quotes - page 5

John Chrysostom was an influential early Christian bishop and preacher, famed for his eloquent sermons and writings. Renowned as one of the greatest Church Fathers, he played a major role in shaping Christian theology and liturgy. He is remembered for his advocacy of social justice and his criticism of abuses within the church and society. Here are 242 of his quotes:

The beauty of woman is the greatest snare. Or rather, not the beauty of woman, but unchastened gazing! For we should not accuse the objects, but ourselves, and our own carelessness. Nor should we say, Let there be no women, but Let there be no adulteries. We should not say, Let there be no beauty, but Let there be no fornication. We should not say, Let there be no belly, but let there be no gluttony; for the belly makes not the gluttony, but our negligence. We should not say, that it is because of eating and drinking that all these evils exist; for it is not because of this, but because of our carelessness and insatiableness. Thus the devil neither ate nor drank, and yet he fell! Paul ate and drank, and ascended up to heaven!

John Chrysostom

Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan.

John Chrysostom

Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine which is never exhausted, a sky unobscured by clouds, a heaven unruffled by the storm. It is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.

John Chrysostom

As a moth gnaws a garment, so doth envy consume a man.

John Chrysostom

It is a shame for a man to desire honor because of his noble progenitors, and not to deserve it by his own virtue.

John Chrysostom

Nothing does so much turn our life upside down, as delay and procrastination in the performance of our good works. Nay, this has often caused us to lose all.

John Chrysostom

If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.

John Chrysostom

Every family should have a room where Christ is welcome in the person of the hungry and thirsty stranger.

John Chrysostom

The Priest is the common father, as it were, of all the world; it is proper therefore that he should care for all, even as God, Whom he serves.

John Chrysostom

The test of sincerity of one's prayer is the willingness to labor on its behalf.

John Chrysostom

It is not the man who is responsible for the offerings as they become Christ's Body and Blood; it is Christ Himself who was crucified for us. The standing figure belongs to the priest who speaks these words. The power and the grace belong to God. 'This is My Body,' he says. And these words transform the offerings.

John Chrysostom

What prayer could be more true before God the Father than that which the Son, who is Truth, uttered with His own lips?

John Chrysostom

For nothing so much disturbs the mind, though it be done for some beneficial purpose, as to innovate and introduce strange things, and most of all when this is done in matters relating to divine worship and the glory of God.

John Chrysostom

Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.

John Chrysostom

I exhort and entreat you all, disregard what this man and that man thinks about these things, and inquire from the Scriptures all these things.

John Chrysostom

When an archer desires to shoot his arrows successfully, he first takes great pains over his posture and aligns himself accurately with his mark. It should be the same for you who are about to shoot the head of the wicked devil. Let us be concerned first for the good order of sensations and then for the good posture of inner thoughts.'

John Chrysostom

While the tongue through shame often pours not forth all its wickedness at once, the heart having no human witness, fearlessly gives birth to whatever evils it will.

John Chrysostom

No matter how just your words may be, when you speak with anger, you ruin all: no matter how boldly you speak, how fairly reprove, or what not.

John Chrysostom

The Jews were God's chosen people.

John Chrysostom

Feet were made, not given for dancing, but to walk modestly, not to leap impudently like camels.

John Chrysostom

You are a stranger and a sojourner here on Earth; your true homeland is in Heaven.

John Chrysostom

If you are a Christian, no earthly city is yours. Of our City ‘the Builder and Maker is God.' Though we may gain possession of the whole world, we are withal but strangers and sojourners in it all. We are enrolled in heaven: our citizenship is there! Let us not, after the manner of little children, despise things that are great, and admire those which are little! Not our city's greatness, but virtue of soul is our ornament and defence. If you suppose dignity to belong to a city, think how many persons must partake in this dignity, who are whoremongers, effeminate, depraved and full of ten thousand evil things, and at last despise such honour! But that City above is not of this kind; for it is impossible that he can be a partaker of it, who has not exhibited every virtue.

John Chrysostom

If we must remember offenses, let us remember only our own.

John Chrysostom