Take the trouble to spend at least one day according to the commandments of God, and you will see for yourself how good it is to fulfill the will of God. Further, love every man, that is, do not desire anything for him that you do not desire for yourself; think, feel for him as you think and feel for yourself; do not wish to see in him anything that you do not want to see in yourself; let your memory not retain the evil done to you by others, just as you wish that the evil you have done by others should be forgotten; Do not suspect anything criminal or impure in others, imagine others as well-intentioned, as well as yourself. At least do not do to others what you do not do to yourself, and you will see what will be in your heart – what silence, what bliss! "The Kingdom of God," says the Saviour, "is within you" (Luke 17:21).

Begin to fulfill the commandments concerning the small, and you will fulfill the commandments concerning the great: the small everywhere leads to the great. Begin to fulfill at least the commandment about fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, or the tenth commandment concerning evil thoughts and desires, and you will fulfill all the commandments.

About life

Life is a great science that is not easy to learn. It is the strait way and the narrow gate. Whoever has not begun to study the science of life under the guidance of the Gospel from childhood, has not learned to believe in God, is not accustomed to reverence Him, does not clearly distinguish evil from good – it will be difficult for him to learn in the subsequent years of life. Although other people will consider him intelligent, will recognize his knowledge and abilities, he may turn out to be a complete ignoramus in the school of life. He may be incapable of either family life or social activities – for example, because of his unaccommodating character or bad habits. It can be wrecked in life, like a ship loaded with goods that has been launched into the open sea without a rudder, tackle and sails.

On wisdom

The science of sciences is to conquer the passions that act in us. Great wisdom, for example, is not to be angry with anyone and not to think evil of anyone, even if someone has done us harm. Wisdom is to despise greed and love non-acquisitiveness, to despise delicacies and be content with simple food eaten in moderation. Wisdom is not to flatter anyone, but always to speak the truth without fear; wisdom is not to be seduced by the beauty of the face, but to respect the beauty of the image of God in every person. Wisdom is to love one's enemies and not to take revenge on them either in deed, word, or thought. Wisdom is not to accumulate riches for oneself, but to give alms to the poor, in order to acquire treasure in Heaven. Alas! We have almost studied all the sciences, but we have not learned to avoid sin at all, and thus we often turn out to be complete ignoramuses in moral science. And it turns out that the truly wise were the saints, the disciples of the true Teacher-Christ, and we, the so-called scientists, are ignorant, and often, the more learned, the more ignorant, because we have not known the most important thing, but are enslaved by various passions.