Words of Wisdom

You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgement. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.
(St Seraphim of Sarov)


...more Words of Wisdom

When we see sinners we must always weep for ourselves first over their failure.
Perhaps we have fallen in the same way; or we can fall, if we haven't yet.
And if the judgment of the teaching office must always eradicate vices by the power of discipline, we must nevertheless make careful distinctions: we should be uncompromising about vice, but compassionate to human nature.
If a sinner has to be punished, a neighbour has to be supported.
When he has nullified what he has done by his repentance,
our neighbour is no longer a sinner.
With the righteousness of God he turns against himself,
and what the divine righteousness reproves he punishes in himself.

(Saint Gregory the Great)