St. Isaiah the Solitary | When the intellect grows strong, it makes...

When the intellect grows strong, it makes ready to pursue the love which quenches all bodily passions and which prevents anything contrary to nature from gaining control over the heart. 

Then the intellect, struggling against what is contrary to nature, separates this from what is in accordance with nature. 


Examine yourself daily in the sight of God, and discover which of the passions is in your heart. Cast it out, and so escape His judgment. Be attentive to your heart and watch your enemies, for they are cunning in their malice. In your heart be persuaded of this: it is impossible for a man to achieve good through evil means. 

That is why our Savior told us to be watchful, saying: "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there are that find it (Matt. 7:14)."

St. Isaiah the Solitary