In truth, to know oneself seems to be the hardest of all things. Not only our eye, which observes external objects, does not use the sense of sight upon itself, but even our mind, which contemplates intently another's sin, is slow in the recognition of its own defects. Saint Basil contemplatedefectexternal share on social
What is the benefit of fasting in our body while filling our souls with innumerable evils? He who does not play at dice, but spends his leisure otherwise, what nonsense does he not utter? What absurdities does he not listen to? Leisure without the fear of God is, for those who do not know how to use time, the teacher of wickedness. Saint Basil absurditybenefitbody share on social
If men are in a state in which they find it hard to be weaned from their own ways and choose rather to serve the pleasures of the flesh than to serve the Lord, and refuse to accept the Gospel life, there is no common ground between me and them. Saint Basil acceptchoosecommon share on social
Does not the gratitude of the dog put to shame any man who is ungrateful to his benefactors? Saint Basil benefactordoggratitude Change image and share on social
All who call the Holy Ghost a creature we pity, on the ground that, by this utterance, they are falling into the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against Him. Saint Basil blasphemycallcreature Change image and share on social
As we were baptized, so we profess our belief. As we profess our belief, so also we offer praise. As then baptism has been given us by the Savior, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, so, in accordance with our baptism, we make the confession of the creed, and our doxology in accordance with our creed. Saint Basil accordancebaptismbaptize share on social
Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger. Saint Basil abundancebringcurse Change image and share on social
Liberated from the error of pagan tradition through the benevolence and loving kindness of the good God with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the operation of the Holy Spirit, I was reared from the very beginning by Christian parents. From them I learned even in babyhood the Holy Scriptures which led me to a knowledge of the truth. Saint Basil babyhoodbeginbenevolence share on social
Whatever requires an undue amount of thought or trouble or involves a large expenditure of effort and causes our whole life to revolve, as it were, around solicitude for the flesh must be avoided by Christians. Saint Basil amountavoidchristian share on social
Not the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existence. Saint Basil conditionexistenceforget Change image and share on social