Basil of Caesarea quotes - page 5

Basil of Caesarea was a prominent Christian theologian and bishop in the 4th century. A key figure in the development of early Christian doctrine, he played a crucial role in shaping the Nicene Creed. He is remembered as one of the Cappadocian Fathers and a champion of social justice and charity. Here are 137 of his quotes:

We often find comfort in telling what is painful in actual experience.

Basil of Caesarea

We should not think that we achieve success in preaching through our own devices, but we should rely entirely on God.

Basil of Caesarea

If one had taken what is necessary to cover one's needs and had left the rest to those who are in need, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, no one would be in need.

Basil of Caesarea

... the more have been your trials, look for a more perfect reward from your just Judge. Do not take your present troubles ill. Do not lose hope. Yet a little while and your Helper will come to you and will not tarry (cf. Hab. 2:3).

Basil of Caesarea

When a sunbeam falls on a transparent substance, the substance itself becomes brilliant, and radiates light from itself. So too Spirit bearing souls, illumined by Him, finally become spiritual themselves, and their grace is sent forth to others. From this comes knowledge of the future, understanding of mysteries, apprehension of hidden things, distribution of wonderful gifts, heavenly citizenship, a place in the choir of angels, endless joy in the presence of God, becoming like God, and, the highest of all desires, becoming God.

Basil of Caesarea

The Christian ought not to say anything behind his brother's back with the object of calumniating him, for this is slander, even if what is said is true. He ought to turn away from the brother who speaks evil against him?

Basil of Caesarea

I reckon silence more profitable than speech, for? in the words of the Preacher, 'The words of wise men are heard in quiet' (Eccles. 9:17).

Basil of Caesarea

If, therefore, there is any grace in the water, it is not from the nature of water but from the Spirit's presence there.

Basil of Caesarea

No Christian ought to think of himself as his own master, but each should rather so think and act as though given by God to be slave to his like minded brethren (cf. I Cor. 9:19)?

Basil of Caesarea

We should even go beyond doing what is required in order to avoid scandal.

Basil of Caesarea

She who has intentionally destroyed [the fetus] is subject to the penalty corresponding to a homicide. For us, there is no scrutinizing between the formed and unformed [fetus]; here truly justice is made not only for the unborn but also with reference to the person who is attentive only to himself/herself since so many women generally die for this very reason.

Basil of Caesarea

Let sleep itself be an exercise in piety, for such as our life and conduct have been, so also of necessity will be our dreams.

Basil of Caesarea

Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account you will find that some comfort is to be derived from them.

Basil of Caesarea

Liberated from the error of pagan tradition through the benevolence and loving kindness of the good God with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the operation of the Holy Spirit, I was reared from the very beginning by Christian parents. From them I learned even in babyhood the Holy Scriptures which led me to a knowledge of the truth.

Basil of Caesarea

Those who love their neighbor as themselves possess nothing more than their neighbor.

Basil of Caesarea

What, then, shall we do? someone may ask. What else, indeed, than devote ourselves to the care of our souls, keeping all our leisure free from other things. Accordingly, we should not be slaves of the body, except so far as is strictly necessary; but our souls we should supply with all things that are best, through philosophy freeing them, as from a prison, from association with the passions of the body.

Basil of Caesarea

Let one hour, the same regularly each day, be set aside for food, so that out of the twenty-four hours of day and night, barely shall this one be expended on the body, the ascetic devoting the remainder to the activities of the mind.

Basil of Caesarea

You must give heed unto virtue, O men, which swims forth even with a man who has suffered shipwreck, and, on his coming naked to land, will render him more honoured than the happy Phaeacians.

Basil of Caesarea

Some device has been concocted by the devil, suggesting innumerable spending opportunities to the wealthy, so that they pursue unnecessary and worthless things as if they were indispensable, and no amount is sufficient for the expenditures they contrive.

Basil of Caesarea

Nothing withstands the influence of wealth. Everything submits to its tyranny, everything cowers at its dominion.

Basil of Caesarea

Indulging in unrestrained and immoderate laughter is a sign of intemperance, of a want of control over one's emotions, and of failure to repress the soul's frivolity by a stern use of reason.

Basil of Caesarea

All who call the Holy Ghost a creature we pity, on the ground that, by this utterance, they are falling into the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against Him.

Basil of Caesarea

Good masters teach good doctrine, but that taught by evil masters is wholly evil.

Basil of Caesarea

Among irrational animals the love of the offspring and of the parents for each other is extraordinary because God, who created them, compensated for the deficiency of reason by the superiority of their senses.

Basil of Caesarea