One Route but so Many By-Ways
Jerome said:
‘There are many virtues which lead those who practice them to the kingdom of heaven. There is only one route but there are many by-ways.
‘Whoever is anxious to make progress, even if he reaches a certain degree of perfection, can always find some need for improvement and become more proficient day by day.
‘No one can enjoy a good reputation both for virtue and for a big bank balance.’
Ambrose said:
‘The virtues cannot take command of the soul unless it has first shaken off the yoke of vice.’
Isidore said:
‘We climb towards virtue only with effort: without any effort at all we fall into vice.
‘If you want your virtues to increase, do not make them public.’
Gregory said:
‘If you are still doing good only from fear, you have not altogether escaped from the clutches of evil. Vices we can restrain with fear, but virtues only grow in a climate of love: in faith and hope and love.’
Defensor Grammaticus
Book of Sparkling Sayings, 26 (SC77, pp.346ff.)
The Spiritual Pilgrim’s Guidebook
A firm faith is the mother of the renunciation of the world; the opposite, obviously, produces the opposite effect.
Unwavering hope is the door to the renunciation of every earthly affection; the opposite, obviously, produces the opposite effect.
The love of God is the basis of detachment from the world; and here too the opposite, obviously, has the opposite effect.
Self-control is the mother of spiritual health. The mother of self-control is the thought of death combined with the remembrance of the sharpness of the wrath of the Lord our God.
Solitude and silence help to maintain purity; fasting pours water on the fire of the passions.
Contrition is the enemy of evil and base thoughts.
The death of avarice is attained by faith and flight from the world.
Perseverance in prayer is the annihilation of sloth.
The thought of judgment stirs the will to good purpose.
Love of humiliation is the cure for anger.
Detachment from visible things is to open your eyes to the invisible.
Silence and solitude are the enemies of pride; if you are involved with people, keep an eye out for occasions of humiliation.
Visible pride is cured by an attitude that is empty of arrogance; invisible pride is cured by the Eternal Invisible.
John Climacus
Stairway to Paradise, 26, Appendix (PG88, 1084)
~ Thomas Spidlik, Drinking from the Hidden Fountain, A Patristic Breviary: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World
