truisms

[Ekaterina]

Prayer doesn't change God. It changes me.

CS Lewis

[Ekaterina]

I have seen good souls turn evil from the example of evil people, and it amazed me that they could so quickly shed their natural simplicity and innocence. But it is as easy for the honest to lapse as it is hard for evildoers to change their ways. Still, a genuine turning away from the world, obedience, and a guarding of the lips have often proved very effective and have wonderfully restored those who seemed to be beyond recall.

St. John Climacus.

[Ekaterina]

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.

Erma Bombeck

[Ekaterina]

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… Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. 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

[Pravoslavnik]

Every man loves the smell of his own farts. ':mrgreen:'

--Polish proverb

[Ekaterina]

No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means.

George Bernard Shaw

[Ekaterina]

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.

Fyodor Dostoevsky