The thief who received the kingdom of heaven, though not as the reward of virtue, is a true witness to the fact… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
All of our holy fathers knew this and all with one accord teach that perfection in holiness can be achieved only through… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
[God] arranged that the boy Samuel should be chosen but instead of teaching him directly He had him, turn once or twice… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
It is by means of these that we attain perfect love, through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
If you wish to attain to true knowledge of the Scriptures, hasten to acquire first an unshakeable humility of heart. That alone… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
Humility, in its turn, can be achieved only through faith, fear of God, gentleness and the shedding of all possessions. — John Cassian Copy Share Image
No structure of virtue can possibly be raised in our soul unless, first, the foundations of true humility are laid in our… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
The second request of the very pure soul is to see the coming of the Father's kingdom (cf. Mt. 6:10). What this… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
...just as the edifice of all the virtues strives upward toward perfect prayer so will all these virtues be neither sturdy nor enduring unless… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
...the souls of the dead [are] not deprived of their intellectual faculties but... they also are not lacking in feelings such as hope and… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
...we should realize that there are three sources for our thoughts - God, the devil, and ourselves. — John Cassian Copy Share Image
In proportion as the ardor of divine love brings you nearer to God, so will a larger concourse of saintly brethren flock to you.… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
Everything we do, our every objective, must be undertaken for the sake of... purity of heart... we must practice the reading of the Scripture,… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
When we say 'hallowed be Your name' to God what we are really saying is 'Father, make us such as deserve knowledge and understanding… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
When the soul is solidly rooted in... peacefulness, when it is freed of the bonds of every carnal urge, when the unshaking thrust of… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
We are often indifferent to our brethren who are distressed or upset, on the grounds that they are in this state through no fault… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
The apostles were very sure that everything of theirs which had to do with salvation was a gift to them from God. 'Increase our… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
...we must first scrutinize thoroughly anything appearing in our hearts or any saying suggested to us. Has it come purified from the divine and… — John Cassian Copy Share Image
“It is not an external enemy we dread. Our foe is shut up within ourselves. An internal warfare is daily waged by us.” — John Cassian Copy Share Image
If you want to correct your brother when he is doing wrong? you must keep yourself calm; otherwise you yourself may catch the sickness… — John Cassian Copy Share Image