This is the great work of a man: always to take the blame for his own sins before God, and toexpect temptation to his last breath.
Anthony The GreatRead
The fruits of the earth are not brought to perfection immediately, but by time, rain and care; similarly, the fruits of men ripen through ascetic practice, study, time, perseverance, self-control and patience.
Interpretation
Just as crops require time and care to grow, personal growth needs discipline and patience.
This quote emphasizes the parallels between agriculture and personal development. Just as a farmer must nurture their crops with time, rain, and care to achieve a fruitful harvest, individuals must invest effort in practices such as asceticism, study, and self-control to mature and reach their potential. Both processes require patience and a commitment to long-term goals to yield meaningful results.
In practice
You might use this quote during a workshop on personal development to emphasize the need for perseverance.
This is the great work of a man: always to take the blame for his own sins before God, and toexpect temptation to his last breath.
Our life and our death is with our neighbor. If we gain our brother, we have gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ.
When Abba Anthony thought about the depths of the judgments of God, he asked, 'Lord, how is it that some die when they are young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those who are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked men prosper and why are the just in need?' He heard a voice answering him, 'Antony, keep your attention on yourself; these things are according to the judgment of God, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them.'
Regard as free not those whose status makes them outwardly free, but those who are free in their character and conduct. For we should not call men truly free when they are wicked and dissolute, since they are slaves to worldly passions. Freedom and happiness of soul consist in genuine purity and detachment from transitory things.
Our part is to pursue with steadiness what is right, turning neither to right nor left for the intrigues or popular delusions of the day, assured that the public approbation will in the end be with us.
Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self esteem. That means, 'I feel so low that instead of picking myself up, I have to cut others down.' Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy.
Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.
The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without.
Master your breath, let the self be in bliss, contemplate on the sublime within you.
Personal mastery teaches us to choose. Choosing is a courageous act: picking the results and actions which you will make into your destiny.
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