Truly, my beloved, I write to you as to reasonable men, who have been able to know yourselves. For he who knows himself, knows God: and he who knows God, is worthy to worship Him as is right. My beloved in the Lord, know yourself. For they who know themselves, know their time: and they who know their time, are able to stand firm, and not be moved about by divers tongues…For if such a one [Arius] had known himself, his tongue would not have spoken that of which he had no knowledge. But it is manifest that he did not know himself. ~St. Anthony the Great
It is then, as appears, the greatest of all lessons to know one's self. For if one knows himself, he will know God; and knowing God, he will be made like God ~ St. Clement of Alexandria
“How can you draw close to God when you are far from your own self?” He prayed:” Grant, Lord, that I may know myself that I may know You” ~St. Augustine
The heart is a small vessel, but all things are in it; God is there, the angels are there, and there also is life and the kingdom, the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace. ~St. Makarios of Egypt
Enter eagerly into the treasure house (the heart) that lies within you, and so you will see the treasure house of heaven. For the two are the same, and there is but one single entry to them both. The ladder that leads to the Kingdom is HIDDEN WITHIN YOU, AND IS FOUND IN YOUR SOUL. DIVE INTO YOURSELF, and in your soul you will discover the rungs by which you are to ascend. ~St. Isaac the Syrian
Where can we find Him? Not on earth, for he is not here. And not in heaven, for we are not there. But in our own hearts we can find him. He ascended to heaven openly so that He could come back to us inwardly, and never leave us again. ~St. Augustine
And look, You were within me and I was outside…You were with me and I was not with you. ~ St. Augustine
The kingdom of God is within you. In so far as the Son of God dwells in you, the Kingdom of Heaven lies within you, also. Here within are the riches of heaven, if you desire them. Here, O sinner, is the Kingdom of God within you. Enter into yourself, seek more eagerly and you will find without great travail. Outside you is sin. ENTER WITHIN YOURSELF AND REMAIN IN YOUR HEART, FOR THERE IS GOD. ~ St. Ephraim the Syrian
Do you realize how much your Creator has honored you above all creatures? …All the heavens fit into the palm of God’s hand. And though He is so great that He can grasp all creation in His palm, you can wholly embrace Him; He dwells within you, nor is He cramped as He pervades your entire being.~ St. Gregory of Nyssa
The ladder of the Kingdom is within you, hidden in your soul. Plunge deeply within yourself, away from sin, and there you will find steps by which you will be able to ascend. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian
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