Quotes from Jerome

He tells me that you would have actually accomplished your purpose, had not our brethren with affectionate care held you back. I thank you all the same and regard it as a kindness shown. For in the case of friends one must accept the will for the deed. Enemies often give us the latter, but only sincere attachment can bring us the former.

nothing is so displeasing to God as an impenitent heart. Impenitence is the one sin for which there is no forgiveness.

The whole truth is not taught in a single passage: we must always bear in mind the exact point of an illustration.

The fruit which is an hundredfold and that which is sixtyfold both spring from one seed

The Word was made flesh that we might pass from the flesh into the Word.

it is extremely trying when one has once tasted pleasure to abstain from its enticements, so the reward of doing this is proportionately great.

as by the favour of the sovereign those guilty of various crimes are released from prison, and each one, according to his toil and exertions, is in this or that condition of life, so too the penny, as it were by the favour of our Sovereign, is the discharge from prison of us all by baptism. Now our work is, according to our different virtues, to prepare for ourselves a different future.

see the hidden meaning of Scripture in all its fullness (for the word of God is a pearl and may be pierced on every side)

They which run in a race run all, but one receives the crown. " But of us on the other hand it is said: " So run that you may obtain. " [ 1 Corinthians 9: 24 ] Our master of the games is not grudging; he does not give the palm to one and disgrace another. His wish is that all his athletes may alike win garlands.

Take Care not to have an itching tongue, nor tingling ears; neither attract others, nor listen to backbiters. [Letter to Nepotian]

To change one's disposition is a greater achievement than to change one's dress. It is harder for us to part with arrogance than with gold and gems.

In such haste was she and so impatient of delay that you would fancy her on the eve of her departure. As she was always ready, death could not find her unprepared.

if you do fall, repentance will restore you, and you who were hypocrites at baptism may have a firm faith in your repentance. Be not disturbed by the thought of a difference between the righteous and the penitent, and do not imagine that pardon even gives a lower place; rather believe that it takes away your crown. For there is one reward: he who stands on the right hand shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

For it is one thing to start a problem and another to expound what is already proved. The first calls for a disputant, the second for a teacher.

It is no easy task to throw one's rank into the shade by one's virtue, or to gain the affection of men who are forced to yield you precedence.

if things which are good in themselves as being the handiwork of a good Creator are called vanity, it is because they are compared with things which are better still. For example, compared with a lamp, a lantern is good for nothing; compared with a star, a lamp does not shine at all; the brightest star pales before the moon; put the moon beside the sun, and it no longer looks bright; compare the sun with Christ, and it is darkness. " I am that I am, " God says; [ Exodus 3: 14 ]

And although to the strong he has pointed out the prize of their high calling, [ Philippians 3: 14 ] yet he suffers none to faint by the way; [ Matthew 15: 32 ] while he applauds those who lead the van, he does not despise those who bring up the rear.

even in his own house, a man cannot use his eyes without danger.

For as salt seasons all food and nothing is so pleasant as to please the palate without it: so the bishop is the seasoning of the whole world and of his own Church

The words of Plato in the third book of the Republic are as follows: " Truth, said Socrates, is to be specially cultivated.

glory follows virtue as its shadow; and deserting those who seek it, it seeks those who despise it.

it is easier for us to make light of things which we know well than of things which take us unprepared.

Do not wish to seem very devout nor more humble than need be, lest you seek glory by shunning it. For many, who screen from all men's sight their poverty, charity, and fasting, desire to excite admiration by their very disdain of it, and strangely seek for praise while they profess to keep out of its way.

it is a thing much more worthy of admiration and praise to receive admonition meekly, than to admonish a transgressor boldly.