Quotes from John Climacus

Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honour your patience.

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.

The man who pets a lion may tame it, but the man who coddles the body makes it ravenous.

The friend of silence comes close to God. In secret he converses with him and receives his light.

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.

Often the Lord heals vainglory by dishonor.

When people begin to praise us, let us hurry to remember the multitude of ours transgressions, and we will see that we are truly unworthy of that which they say and do in our honor.

When a man has found the Lord, he no longer has to use words when he is praying, for the Spirit Himself will intercede for him with groans that cannot be uttered.

The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.

A servant of the Lord stands bodily before men, but mentally he is knocking at the gates of heaven with prayer.

We know the utility of prayer from the efforts of the wicked spirits to distract us during the divine office; and we experience the fruit of prayer in the defeat of our enemies.

Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to Heaven.

The friend of silence comes close to God.

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.

Do not make judgments, and you will travel no quicker road to the forgiveness of your sins. 'Judge not, so that you may not be judged' (Lk. 6:37).

When you hear that your neighbor or friend has reproached you in your absence or presence, then show love and praise him.

Someone who is elated with wine speaks the truth on all subjects, even without meaning to. In the same way, anyone who is inebriated with the spirit of penitence will never be able to tell lies.

I would not consider my spirituality worthwhile that wants to walk in sweetness and ease and run from the imitation of Christ.

Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven's gate. Holy humility opens it.

It is not the self -critical who reveals his humility ( for does not everyone have some how to put up with himself? ). Rather, it is the man who continues to love the person who has criticized him.

As long as anger lives, it continues to be the fruitful parent of many unhappy children.

Just as the winds whip up the sea, so does anger stir confusion in the mind.

Fight to escape from your own cleverness. If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Confession is like a bridle that keeps the soul which reflects on it from committing sin, but anything left unconfessed we continue to do without fear as if in the dark.