Quotes from Maximus the Confessor

Peace is truly the complete and undisturbed possession of what is desired.

In conformity with the philosophy of Christ, let us make of our life a training for death.

Only wonder can comprehend His incomprehensible power.

In all of our deeds God looks at the intention, whether we do it for His sake, or for the sake of some other intention.

Whoever sees in himself the traces of hatred toward any man on account of any kind of sin is completely foreign to the love of God. For love toward God does not at all tolerate hatred for man.

Cleanse your mind from anger, remembrance of evil, and shameful thoughts, and then you will find out how Christ dwells in you.

Unclean spirits increase the passions in us, making use of our negligence, and inciting them. But the angels decrease our passions, inciting us to the perfection of virtue.

Inasmuch as you pray with all your soul for the one who has slandered you, so much will God reveal the truth to them who have believed the slander.

If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one through whom it came, but seek out the reason. Thus you will find correction for your soul.

Dispassion and humility lead to spiritual knowledge. Without them no one will see the Lord.

Just as the thought of fire does not warm the body, so faith without love does not actualize the light of spiritual knowledge in the soul.

Every genuine confession humbles the soul. When it takes the form of thanksgiving, it teaches the soul that it has been delivered by the grace of God.

Do not disdain the commandment to love, for through it you become a son of God, and when you break it, you become a son of Gehenna.

Just as the light of the sun attracts a healthy eye, so through love knowledge of God naturally draws to itself a pure intellect.

Love is manifested not only through the distribution of one's possessions, but even moreso through the spreading of the word of God and helpful deeds.

You will be able to check envy if you rejoice with the man whom you envy whenever he rejoices, and grieve whenever he grieves.

In all our actions, God considers the intention: whether we act for Him or for some other motive.

If you make provision for the desires of the flesh and bear a grudge against your neighbor on account of something transitory, you worship the creature instead of the Creator.