“I prefer collapse with humility to victory with pride.”
From the Gerontikon
“I prefer a sinful person, who knows his faults and is humbled, over a self-complacent person of virtue.”
Abba Sarmatias
“Above all else, we need humility. Let us be ready to tell our brother, in all cases, “Forgive me”. Humility eliminates all the devil’s traps.”
Saint Isaiah the Solitary
“They asked an Elder when one is really humble. And the Elder replied ‘When one never forgets one’s sins’.”
From the Gerontikon
“Keep the words of the Publican in your mind and your heart while repeating: ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Only humiliation will lead you to salvation.”
Abba Ammonas
“Whoever is humble, while he reads in the Holy Scriptures, he find the meaning for himself and not the other.”
St. Peter of Damascus
“I saw once that the devil’s trap were all over the world, and I was scared.
– Who can slip through? I said to myself and sighed.
I heard a mysterious voice saying to me: “The humble one.”
Saint Anthony the Great
“What do you have to do to find your salvation? You should admit your errors, even if you’re broken-hearted, and humble yourself in front of God. You should suffer with patience the temptations on your way, and then you can be sure that this will lead you to your salvation.”
Saint Anthony the Great
“The humble one is the person that, although he has every physical and mental virtue, thinks he owes more to God, for by His grace he was granted much without being worthy. And when he faces one temptation, whether by demons or by people, he considers himself worthy of facing more temptations, so that he can pay off some of his debt. And if that is not the case, he is saddened too much and is searching to find a way to feel like that.”
Saint Markos the Ascetic