It is of no use to rub one's knees with countless penances...

It is of no use to rub one's knees with countless penances, if one does not at the same time rub one's face with humility (inner repentance).

The one who asks for humiliation from God, but does not accept the man that God sends him, to humiliate him, does not know what he is asking for, because virtues are not bought like shopping at the grocery store (as many kilos as we want), but God sends us men to be tested, to work, and to be crowned.

We owe more gratitude to those who embroidered us and removed the thorns of our souls, than to those who would dig up our territory for free and reveal to us our hidden unknown treasure.

St. Paisios the Athonite