“When I think from what evils the Lord has freed me, I am nourished by incorruptible food, and I cover my shoulders with the hope of my salvation.”

“Tears are like rain, and man is like a farmer; when they come, he who cultivates the earth of his heart must strive not to lose any of the rain but, rather, to collect all of it in his small garden and irrigate it.”

“If you want to find rest here below, and hereafter, in all circumstances say, ‘Who am I? and do not judge anyone.’”

"When patience is multiplied in our souls, it is a sign that we have secretly received the Grace of Divine consolation. The power of patience is more powerful than the joyful thoughts that descend into the heart."

“The mind is purified by spiritual knowledge (or by holy meditation and prayer), the spiritual passions of the soul by charity, and the irregular appetites by abstinence and penance."

Abba Cassian said: “I have never done my own will, nor taught anything, which I have not previously carried out myself.”

“If all the members of my body were to be converted into tongues, and if each of my limbs were to be gifted with a human voice, I could still do no justice to the virtues of the holy and venerable Paula.”

"You have not yet acquired perfect love if your regard for people is still swayed by their characters."

“If any man love the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, he will acquire awe, and awe will beget in him weeping, and weeping joy, and joy will beget strength, and in all this the soul will bear fruit.”

“Why, my wretched soul, are you acting crazy? Why have you become anger, like those who foam at the mouth? With precisely this anger you show that you are ill; for, if you were not ill, you would not have felt pain."

“The monk must die to his neighbour and never judge him at all, in any way whatever.”

Her delight in the divine scriptures was incredible. She was forever singing, “Thy words have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee…”

"...if we are anxious to reach abiding perfection of heart we must constantly endeavour to obtain the virtue of humility."

"Abba Longinus said that just as a corpse does not feel anything or judge anyone, so the man who is humble of mind cannot judge anyone, even if he should see him worshipping idols."

They slapped Him, buffeted Him, mocked Him, nailed Him to the Cross, gave Him vinegar with gall to drink, and pierced His side. He endured all of this for our salvation, and yet we cannot endure a small insult for His sake?

"...may my soul be received into Your hands spotless and undefiled, as an offering before You."

May you who have power on earth to forgive sins, forgive me, that I may draw breath and that I be found in your presence.

“And therefore, if you would prepare in your heart a holy tabernacle of spiritual knowledge, purge yourselves from the stain of all sins."

“If we seek God, he will show himself to us, and if we keep him, he will remain close to us.”

“Imitate the publican, and you will not be condemned with the Pharisee. Choose the meekness of Moses and you will find your heart which is a rock changed into a spring of water.”