Saint Basil

Science which is acquired unwillingly, soon disappears; that which is instilled into the mind in a pleasant and agreeable manner, is more…

— Saint Basil

God who created us has granted us the faculty of speech that we might disclose the counsels of our hearts to one…

— Saint Basil

In truth, to know oneself seems to be the hardest of all things. Not only our eye, which observes external objects, does…

— Saint Basil

Indulging in unrestrained and immoderate laughter is a sign of intemperance, of a want of control over one's emotions, and of failure…

— Saint Basil

We often find comfort in telling what is painful in actual experience.

— Saint Basil

Does not the gratitude of the dog put to shame any man who is ungrateful to his benefactors?

— Saint Basil

To Whom does our God say, 'in our image' (Gen. 1:26), to whom if it is not to Him who is 'the…

— Saint Basil

As we were baptized, so we profess our belief. As we profess our belief, so also we offer praise. As then baptism…

— Saint Basil

Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life.

— Saint Basil

As it is impossible to verbally describe the sweetness of honey to one who has never tasted honey, so the goodness of…

— Saint Basil

We glorify the Holy Ghost together with the Father and the Son, from the conviction that He is not separated from the…

— Saint Basil

It is right to submit to a higher authority whenever a command of God would be violated.

— Saint Basil

We should not think that we achieve success in preaching through our own devices, but we should rely entirely on God.

— Saint Basil

We should even go beyond doing what is required in order to avoid scandal.

— Saint Basil

I have learned from Jesus Christ Himself what charity is, and how we ought to practise it; for He says: "By this…

— Saint Basil

Do not, as is usually the case, thrust the care of the common weal upon your neighbor; then, as each one in…

— Saint Basil

When you have become God's in the measure he desires, then he himself will bestow you upon others; unless, to your greater…

— Saint Basil

We must always be on guard lest, under the pretext of keeping one commandment, we be found breaking another.

— Saint Basil

All of us who desire the kingdom of God are, by the Lord's decree, under an equal and rigorous necessity of seeking…

— Saint Basil

As God illumines all people equally with the light of the sun, so do those who desire to imitate God let shine…

— Saint Basil

Reprimand and rebuke should be accepted as healing remedies for vice and as conducive to good health. From this it is clear…

— Saint Basil

All these stupendous objects are daily around us; but because they are constantly exposed to our view, they never affect our minds,…

— Saint Basil

The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the cloak that lies in your chest belongs to the naked; the gold…

— Saint Basil

Among irrational animals the love of the offspring and of the parents for each other is extraordinary because God, who created them,…

— Saint Basil

Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the…

— Saint Basil