Saint Mark the Ascetic Quotes

Saint Mark the Ascetic Quotes

When you observe some thought suggesting that you seek human fame, you can be sure it will bring you disgrace.

He who toils unwillingly grows poor in every way, while he who presses ahead in hope is doubly rich.

Do not ask how a poor man can be self-indulgent when he lacks the material means. For it is possible to be self-indulgent in a yet more despicable way through one's thoughts.

Guard your mind, and you will not be harassed by temptations. But if you fail to guard it, accept patiently whatever trial comes.

Having sinned secretly, do not try to hide. For "all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we have to give an account" (Heb. 4:13).

If you should ever reach the stronghold of pure prayer, do not accept the knowledge of created things which is presented to you at that moment by the enemy, lest you lose what is greater. For it is better to shoot at him from above with the arrows of prayer, cooped up as he is down below, then to parley with him as he offers us the knowledge he has plundered, and tries to tear us away from this prayer which defeats him.

Just as sheep and wolves cannot feed together, so a man cannot receive mercy if he tricks his neighbor.

The flesh with its desire is opposed to the spirit, and the spirit opposed to the flesh, and those who live in the spirit will not carry out the desire of the flesh (cf. Gal. 5:15-17).

He who speaks rightly should recognize that he receives the words from God. For the truth belongs not to him who speaks, but to God who is energizing him.

A seed will not grow without earth and water; and a man will not develop without voluntary suffering and divine help.

Even though knowledge is true, it is still not firmly established if unaccompanied by works. For everything is established by being put into practice.

Better a human than a demonic sin. Through performing the Lord's will we overcome both.

To recall past sins in detail inflicts injury on the man who hopes in God. For when such recollection brings remorse it deprives him of hope; but if he pictures the sins to himself without remorse, they pollute him again with the old defilement.

From a pleasure-loving heart arise unhealthy thoughts and words; and from the smoke of a fire we recognize the fuel.

When you are explaining things, do not conceal what is relevant to the needs of those present. You should discuss explicitly whatever is seemly, but refer less explicitly to what is hard to accept.

If someone does not obey you when you have told him once, do not argue and try to compel him; but take for yourself the profit which he has thrown away. For forbearance will benefit you more than correcting him.

'Just as suffering and dishonor usually give birth to virtues, so pleasure and self-esteem usually give birth to vices.'

Understand the words of Holy Scripture by putting them into practice, and do not fill yourself with conceit by elaborating on theoretical ideas.

If you do not want to suffer evil, do not inflict it, since the suffering of it inevitably follows its infliction. "For whatever a man sows he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

A man wanted to do evil, but first prayed as usual; and finding himself prevented by God, he was then extremely thankful.

Do not leave unobliterated any fault, however small, for it may lead you on to greater sins.

Those who do not consider themselves under obligation to perform all Christ's commandments study the law of God in a literal manner, 'understanding neither what they say nor what they affirm' (1 Tim. 1:7). Therefore they think that they can fulfill it by their own works.

Knowledge of created things helps a man at a time of temptation and listlessness; but at a time of pure prayer it is usually harmful.

Even when nothing is going wrong, be ready for affliction; and since you will have to give an account, do not make extortionate demands.

The enemy, understanding how the justice of the spiritual law is applied, seeks only the assent of our mind. Having secured this, he will either oblige us to undergo the labors of repentance or, if we do not repent, will torment us with misfortunes beyond our control. Sometimes he encourages us to resist these misfortunes so as to increase our torment, and then, at our death, he will point to this impatient resistance as proof of our lack of faith.

He who wants to cross the spiritual sea is long-suffering, humble, vigilant and self-controlled. If he impetuously embarks on it without these four virtues, he agitates his heart, but cannot cross.

Stillness helps us by making evil inoperative. If it also takes to itself these four virtues in prayer, it is the most direct support in attaining dispassion.

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