As warriors are awarded medals and crosses for repeatedly proving their readiness to sacrifice their lives, so we - soldiers of the spirit - can only reap our reward after fighting valiantly and long. The greatest fight of all is the fight against pride, with all its symptoms of anger, vainglory, rage, hatred. When we have overcome this, we receive our best reward: the beautiful peace of the soul.
Staretz Macarius of Optina
Staretz Macarius of Optina
