John Climacus quotes - page 3

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)
Even if glory is God-given, yet it is excellent to divert it from oneself with the shield of humility. View quote
John Climacus
When you hear that your neighbor or friend has reproached you in your absence or presence, then show love and praise him. View quote
John Climacus
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. View quote
John Climacus
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. View quote
John Climacus
Become aware of God, in whose presence you are while you pray . . . Then take a formula of prayer and recite it with perfect attention both to the words you are saying and to the Person to whom you are saying them. View quote
John Climacus
Just as the winds whip up the sea, so does anger stir confusion in the mind. View quote
John Climacus
The offspring of virtue is perseverance. The fruit and offspring of perseverance is habit and child of habit is character. View quote
John Climacus
Simplicity is an enduring habit within a soul that has grown impervious to evil thoughts. View quote
John Climacus
Drive away with the hand of humility every transitory joy, as being unworthy of it, lest by readily admitting it you receive a wolf instead of a shepherd. View quote
John Climacus
A monastery is an earthly heaven. (John Climacus)
Often the Lord heals vainglory by dishonor. View quote
John Climacus
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). View quote
John Climacus
The man who pets a lion may tame it, but the man who coddles the body makes it ravenous. View quote
John Climacus
Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to Heaven. View quote
John Climacus
I would not consider my spirituality worthwhile that wants to walk in sweetness and ease and run from the imitation of Christ. View quote
John Climacus
The slave of the belly ponders the menu with which to celebrate the feast. The servant of God, however, thinks of the graces that may enrich him. View quote
John Climacus
A characteristic of those who are still progressing in blessed mourning is temperance and silence of the lips; and of those who have made progress - freedom from anger and patient endurance of injuries; and of the perfect - humility, thirst for dishonors, voluntary craving for involuntary afflictions, non- condemnation of sinners, compassion even beyond one's strength. The first are acceptable, the second laudable; but blessed are those who hunger for hardship and thirst for dishonor, for they shall be filled with the food whereof there can be no satiety. View quote
John Climacus