“Complete trust in God, that is what holy humility is.”
Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
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“Let humility be your garment in everything.”
Saint Joseph the Hesychast
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“I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, “What can get through from such snares?” Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Humility’.”
Saint Anthony the Great
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“Humility consists, not in condemning our conscience, but in recognising God’s Grace and compassion.”
Saint Mark the Ascetic
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“What joy is ours that the Lord not only forgives our sins, but allows the Soul to know Him, so soon as she humbles herself. The poorest wretch can humble himself and know God in the Holy Spirit. There is no need of money or posessions in order to know God, only humility. The Lord gives Himself freely, for His Mercy’s sake alone. I did not know this before but now every day and every hour every minute, I see clearly the Mercy of God. The Lord gives peace even in sleep, but without God there is no peace in the Soul.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“Hell is full of saints but prideful saints and Paradise is full of sinners but humble sinners…”
Saint Tikhon of Mount Athos
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“The natural property of the lemon tree is such that it lifts its branches upwards when it has no fruit, but the more the branches bend down the more fruit they bear. Those who have the mind to understand will grasp the meaning of this.”
Saint John of Kronstadt
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“Humility and love are the two wings with which we will fly to Paradise.”
Saint Cosmas of Aitolia
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“Humility is a great medicine for Salvation. Because satan did not fall from the Heavens, neither because of carnal debauchery, nor because of other material pleasures, but only out of pride. That is why the Son of God became Man, so that we, the sons of man, may become sons of God.”
Saint Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria
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“Humility is the chariot by which we ascend to God.”
Saint Gregory Palamas
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“Humility is acquired after struggles.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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“We always read and talk about humility, but when it comes down to reality we can’t bear either a word or a glance.”
Saint Macarius of Optina
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“God gives us His Grace when we are humble”
Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
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“Some suffer much from poverty and sickness, but are not humbled, and so they suffer without profit. But one who is humbled will be happy in all circumstances, because the Lord is his riches and joy, and all people will wonder at the beauty of his Soul.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“The only thing Christ is asking from us is our humility. The rest is taken care of by His Grace.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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“The Lord abides in simple hearts.”
Saint Ambrose of Optina
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“When you get to humble yourself, all will seem Saints to you. But when you are full of yourself, they all seem evil.”
Saint Joseph the Hesychast
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“When pride retreats from a man, humility begins to dwell in him, and the more pride is diminished, so much more does humility grow. The one gives way to the other as its opposite. Darkness departs and light appears. Pride is darkness, but humility is light.”
Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk
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“When God sees that we are proud and arrogant, He allows for the presence of temptations in our life. He will take them away from us, only when He sees that we humble ourselves.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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“If a Soul remains in humility, then the Lord enlightens it more and more.”
Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
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“Where there is God, there is no evil. Everything coming from God is peaceful, healthy and leads a person to the judgement of his own imperfections and humility.”
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
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“Blessed is the one who continually humbles himself willingly; he will be Crowned by the One Who willingly humbled Himself for our sake.”
Saint Ephrem the Syrian
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“Seek God daily. But seek Him in your heart, not outside it. And when you find Him, stand with fear and trembling, like the Cherubim and the Seraphim, for your heart has become a Throne of God. But in order to find God, become humble as dust before the Lord, for the Lord abhors the proud, whereas He visits those that are humble in heart, wherefore He says: ‘To whom will I look, but to him that is meek and humble in heart?'”
Saint Nektarios of Aegina
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“Meekness is the rock overlooking the sea of irritability which breaks all the waves that dash against it, remaining itself unmoved.”
Saint John Climacus
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“Be not meek with one and insolent with others; be meek with everyone, whether he be friend or foe, a great man or a little.”
Saint John Chrysostom
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“God descends to the humble as waters flow down from the hills into the valleys.”
Saint Tikhon, the Patriarch of Moscow
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“If the humility of Christ becomes the way of our life, any place may, and will, become a place of Resurrection.”
Saint Gavrilia, the Ascetic of Love
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“Humility and Love, there you have it. This is everything.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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“You do not just suddenly leap into Heaven, but you enter it with humility. The worst of all sins is when we are overwhelmed by our pride and our own opinion about everything.”
Macarius of Optina
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“Let us be humble, but not pretend to be humble. Pretension to humility is a trap of the devil, which brings despair and inertia. While true humility brings hope and the fulfilling of the Commandments of Christ.”
Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
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“Let us be humble, but not pretend to be humble. Pretension to humility is a trap of the devil, which brings despair and inertia, while true humility brings hope and the fulfilling of the Commandments of Christ.”
Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
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“It is useless to accuse those around us and those who live with us of somehow interfering with or being an impediment to our Salvation and Spiritual perfection… Spiritual or emotional dissatisfaction comes from within ourselves, from inexperience and from poorly conceived opinions we do not want to abandon, but which bring on doubt, embarrassment, and misunderstanding. All of this tires and burdens us, and brings us to a sorry state. We would do well to comprehend the Holy Fathers’ simple advice: If we will humble ourselves, we will find tranquility anywhere, without having to mentally wander about many other places, where we might have the same, or even worse, experiences.”
Saint Ambrose of Optina
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“Now we do not understand their meaning, but later we will understand them. Now we sense that we are treated unjustly and cursed. Later we will understand that from everything we would have an awesome benefit: a humble mind.”
Saint Luke the Surgeon, Archbishop of Simferopel
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“Humble-mindedness will bring all the virtues.”
Saint Anthimos of Chios
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“In order to enter the Kingdom you must first of all be humble. How do you receive humility? How do you learn this great art? We must implore the Lord to bestow this gift on us. In one of the evening Prayers we read: ‘Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience.”
Saint Barsanuphius of Optina
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“Virtue without humility is not virtue.”
Saint Pachomios of Chios
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“Making excuses is not written in the Scriptures. The Saints not only did not justify themselves, but they suffered willingly on behalf of others.”
Saint Ephraim of Katounakia
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“A humble man lives on Earth as in the Kingdom of Heaven, always cheerful, and calm, and pleased with all.”
Saint Anthony of Optina
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“The foundation stone of the Spiritual life is Humility.”
Saint Savvas of Ioannina
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When the Monks asked Saint Paisios which virtue is the highest of all, the Saint replied,
“Those which are done in secret, and about which no one knows.”
Saint Paisios the Great
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“The humble man is always at rest, because there is nothing which can agitate or shake his mind. Just as no one can frighten a mountain, so the mind of a humble man cannot be frightened.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
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“The invincible weapon against all our enemies is humility.”
Saint Theophan the Recluse
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“The devil fears the humble, while he loves the proud because he is his own.”
Saint Evmenios Saridakis, the New
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“There are many degrees of humility. The first is the recognition of sinfulness. Secondly, man compares himself with the perfect law and sees that he is worse than everyone else. Thirdly, he accepts charismas as gifts from God. Fourthly, he sees the humility of Christ.”
Saint Sophrony of Essex
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Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria, of Holy memory, begged Abba Pambo to come down from the desert to Alexandria. He went down, and seeing an actress he began to weep. Those who were present asked him the reason for his tears, and he said, ‘Two things make me weep: one, the loss of this woman; and the other, that I am not so concerned to please God as she is to please wicked men.’
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“Love and Humility are twin brothers locked in a tight embrace.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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“Treat everything with love, kindness, patience and humility. Be like rocks. Everything erupts on you, but like the waves, everything falls back. You must be calm!”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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“The humble are like nightingales that hide in ravines and spread joy to the Souls of men with their sweet songs.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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“What joy is ours that the Lord not only forgives our sins but allows the Soul to know Him, so soon as she humbles herself. The poorest wretch can humble himself and know God in the Holy Spirit. There is no need of money or possessions in order to know God, only of humility. The Lord gives Himself freely, for His Mercy’s sake alone. I did not know this before but now every day and hour, every minute, I see clearly the Mercy of God. The Lord gives peace even in sleep, but without God there is no peace in the Soul. The Lord does not reveal Himself to many men because of their intellectual pride, yet they still think they possess much knowledge. But what is their knowledge worth, if they know not the Lord, know not the Grace of the Holy Spirit, know not how this Grace comes and wherefore it is lost? But let us humble ourselves, brethren, and the Lord will show us all things, as a loving father shows all things to his children.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“There are many kinds of humilty. One man is obedient, and has nothing but blame for himself; and this is humility. Another repents him of his sins and considers himself loathsome in the sight of God – and that is humility. But there is still another humility in the man who has known the Lord in the Holy Spirit. He who has known the Lord in the Holy Spirit has a different understanding and a different perception. When the soul by the Holy Spirit sees the Lord, how meek and lowly He is, she humbles herself throughly. And this is an especial humility. No one can describe it, and it is made known only through the Holy Spirit. And were men to understand through the Holy Spirit what a Lord is ours, all would be transformed – the rich would despise their riches, scholars their learning, and rulers their glory and power. Every man would humble himself and live in profound peace and love, and there would be great joy on earth.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“O Lord, vouchsafe unto us the gift of Thy Holy humility. O Lord, give us freely of Thy humble Holy Spirit, just as Thou didst freely come to save Thy people, and raise them to Heaven that they might behold Thy Glory.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“O Christ-like humility! I know thee but cannot attain unto thee! Thy fruits are sweet for they are not of this earth.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“The soul of the humble man is like the sea. Throw a stone into the sea – for a moment it will ruffle the surtace, and then sink to the bottom. Thus do afflictions disappear down in the heart of the humble man because the strength of the Lord is with him. Where is thy habitation, O humble soul? And who dwells in thee; and to what shall I liken thee? Thou burnest bright like the sun, and art not consumed, but with thy warmth thou givest warmth to all. The earth is thine, for the meek shall inherit the earth, said the Lord. Thou art like a flowering garden. In the heart of the garden lies a fair dwelling wherein it pleases the Lord to take up His abode. Thou art the beloved of heaven and earth. The Apostles, Prophets, Prelates and holy Fathers love thee. The Angels, the Seraphim and Cherubim love thee. The most holy Mother of the Lord loves thee, O humble soul. The Lord loves thee, and in thee does He rejoice.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“When the peace of Christ enters the soul, then is she glad to sit like Job among the ashes and behold others in glory; then does the soul rejoice that she is worse than everyone else. This mystery of Christ-like humility is a great mystery, impossible to unfold. From love the soul wishes every human being more good than she wishes for herself, and delights when she sees others happier, and grieves to see them suffering. O pray for me all ye Saints and all ye peoples, that Christ’s holy humility may come to me! The Lord loves mankind but He sends affliction that we may perceive our weakness and humble ourselves, and for this humility receive the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit all things are good, all things are joyful, all things are well. One man may suffer much from poverty and sickness but does not humble himself and so his suffering profits him nothing. Whereas another who humbles himself will be content with every kind of fate, since the Lord is his riches and his joy, and all men will wonder at the beauty of his soul. You may say, My troubles are manifold. But I tell you, or, better, the Lord Himself says, ‘Humble thyself, and thou wilt see, even to thine own astonishment, that thine adversities will be transformed into peace, and thou wilt exclaim: “Wherefore did I so torment and fret myself!”‘ But now you rejoice, for you have humbled yourself, and the grace of God has come to you. Now were you to sit alone in poverty, your joy will not forsake you, inasmuch as in your soul is that peace of which the Lord said, ‘My peace I give unto you.’ Thus to every humble soul the Lord gives peace.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“Blessed is the humble Soul: she is beloved of the Lord. All heaven and earth exalt the humble Saints, and the Lord grants them the glory of being with Him. ‘Where I am, there shall also my servant be.’”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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Father Silouan sat down again, and with bowed head and aching heart he Prayed, “Lord, Thou seest that I desire to Pray to Thee with a pure mind but the devils will not let me. Instruct me, what must I do to stop them hindering me?” And in his Soul he heard, “The proud always suffer from devils.” “Lord,” said Silouan, “teach me what I must do that my Soul may become humble.” Once more, his heart heard God’s answer, “Keep thy mind in hell, and despair not.”
Saint Silouan the Athonite
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“Humility receives compassion, continually.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
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“This is the mark of Christianity – however much a man toils, and however many righteousnesses he performs, to feel that he has done nothing, and in fasting to say, ‘This is not fasting’ and in Praying, ‘This is not Prayer,’ and in perseverance at Prayer, ‘I have shown no perseverance; I am only just beginning to practice and to take pains’, and even if he is righteous before God, he should say, ‘I am not righteous, not I; I do not take pains, but only make a beginning every day.’”
Saint Makarios the Great of Egypt
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Saint Macarius was asked by a pilgrim how to find salvation in the world. He told the man to go to the cemetery and insult dead people who were buried there. This he did and then returned to the Saint. The Saint then told him to return to the cemetery and sing the praises of those who were buried there. This he did and returned. The Saint then asked the pilgrim: “What did the dead people do when you insulted them?” “Why, nothing, of course, Holy Father,” the man replied. Saint Macarius continued, “What did the dead people do when you praised them?” “Why, nothing, of course, Holy Father,” he replied again. “Go and do the same, and you will be saved. Be dead both to the praises and curses of men and you will obtain salvation.”
Saint Makarios the Great of Egypt
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“As Abba Macarius was returning to his cell from the marsh carrying palm-leaves, the devil met him with a sharp sickle and would have struck him but he could not. He cried out, “Great is the violence I suffer from you, Macarius, for when I want to hurt you, I cannot. But whatever you do, I do and more also. You fast now and then, but I am never refreshed by any food; you often keep vigil, but I never fall asleep. Only in one thing are you better than I am and I acknowledge that.” Macarius said to him, “What is that?” and he replied, “It is because of your humility alone that I cannot overcome you.”
Saint Makarios the Great of Egypt
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“Humility is an attribute of the God of Love, Who in his openness to all creatures meekly accepts every blow, every wound, from the hands which He fashioned.”
Saint Sophrony of Essex
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“An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.”
Saint John Climacus
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“You fast, but satan does not eat. You labor fervently, but satan never sleeps. The only dimension with which you can outperform satan is by acquiring humility, for satan has no humility.”
Saint Moses the Ethiopian
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“When someone receives a Spiritual gift, he usually attracts other people’s envy. Then he feels the need to hide it. So, without realising it, he becomes a fool for Christ’s sake.”
Saint Sophrony of Essex
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“Pride makes us forget our sins, for the remembrance of them leads to humility.”
Saint John Climacus
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“Never let the other understand that he has hurt you.”
Saint Gavrilia, the Ascetic of Love
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“Pride deprives us of God’s help, making us over-reliant on ourselves and arrogant towards other people.”
Saint Thalassios the Libyan
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“Whenever people boast of their virginity, Christ will say to them, ‘Since you have no humility, take yourself to Hell.’ But to the person who was a sinner and had repented and lives humbly with a contrite heart and confesses that he is a sinner, Christ will say, ‘Come here, my child, into sweet Paradise.'”
Saint Tikhon of Mount Athos
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“Every irritation comes from our pride. Why do you get irritated with another person, why do you feel malice toward them? Because deep inside, you consider yourself to be something more than the other.”
Saint Ambrose of Optina
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“Humility is upheld and protected by the Holy Spirit, and not only draws man to God, but also God to man. Furthermore, humility was the cause of the Son of God taking flesh, that closest union of God with man: Humility made God a man on Earth. Humility is the adornment of Divinity, for the Word made flesh spoke with us through the human body with which had clothed himself.”
Saint Justin Popovich of Serbia
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“In proportion to your humility you are given patience in your woes; and in proportion to your patience the burden of your afflictions is made lighter and you will find consolation; in proportion to your consolation, your love of God increases; and in proportion to your love, your joy in the Holy Spirit is magnified.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
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“Humility is that single altar on which it is allowed us, by Spiritual law, to offer the sacrifice of Prayer and on which the offered sacrifice of Prayer ascends to God and appears before His face. Humility is that single vessel into which the gifts of Grace are put by the finger of God.”
Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov
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“Stop pleasing yourself and you will not hate your brother; stop loving yourself and you will love God.”
Saint Maximus the Confessor
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“True humility is a Grace given from above, not merely humble words or looks.”
Saint Peter of Damascus
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“The Lord is on the Cross. Stand in front of Him in your thoughts and ponder, how would the Lord meet you once He comes down from the Cross? Keep thinking about this for some time, and your conscience will clearly tell you the truth.”
Saint Theophan the Recluse
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“Better three Prostrations with humility than 1,000 Prostrations with arrogance. Only humility will save us! Few people have acquired humility of mind and it is almost impossible to find them!”
Saint Tikhon of Mount Athos
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“Egoism is self-protection. A Christian’s security should be Divine protection.”
Saint Gavrilia, the Ascetic of Love
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“He who has humility never takes on the air of an instructor; he listens and when asked of his opinion, he speaks humbly. He never says “I”, but rather “my thought tells me,” or “the Fathers tell us.” He speaks like a student. Anyone who thinks that he can correct others thinks far too highly of himself.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
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