Humility and Repentance

Humility the mark of Christianity

"This is the mark of Christianity--however much a man toils, and however many righteous deeds 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 Macarius The Great (4th Century Monk)

Meekness the Mother of Love

"Meekness prays quietly and sincerely for a neighbor however troublesome he may be. Meekness is a rock looking out over the sea of anger which breaks the waves which come crashing on it and stays entirely unmoved. Meekness is a bulwark of patience, the door, indeed the mother of love, and the foundation of discernment. For it is said: 'The Lord will teach His ways to the meek' (Ps. 24:9). And it is meekness that earns pardon for our sins, gives confidence to our prayers and makes a place for the Holy Spirit." -- St. John Klimacos

Humility the Remedy for All Evil

"Listen to what the Lord Himself tells us: 'Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you shall find rest for your souls' (Mt. 11:29). There you have it in a nutshell: He has taught us the root and cause of all evils and also the remedy for it, leading to all good. He shows us that pretensions to superiority cast us down and that it is impossible to obtain mercy except by the contrary, that is to say, by humility. Self-elevation begets contempt and disobedience begets perdition whereas humility begets obedience and the saving of souls. And I call that real humility which is not humble in word and outward appearance but is deeply planted in the heart; for this is what He meant when He said that 'I am meek and humble of heart." -- St. Dorotheos of Gaza