By these words it is surely shown that in his [the rich man] daily feasting he had frequently sinned by his tongue, seeing that, while burning all over, he demanded to be cooled especially in his tongue. Again, that levity of conduct follows closely upon gluttony sacred authority testifies ... For the most part also edacity leads us even to lechery, because, when the belly is distended by repletion, the stings of lust are excited.
-St. Gregory the Dialogist, The Book of Pastoral Rule, Chapter XIX, 6th century


The man who has once chosen pleasure in this life, and has not cured his inconsiderateness by repentance, places the land of the good beyond his own reach; for he has dug against himself the yawning impassable abyss of a necessity that nothing can break through.
-St. Gregory of Nyssa

For if any one becomes wholly and thoroughly carnal in thought, such as one with every motion and energy of the soul absorbed in fleshly desires, is not parted from such attachments, even in the disembodied state; just as those who have lingered long in noisome places do not part with the unpleasantness contracted by that lengthened stay, even when they pass into a sweet atmosphere.
-St. Gregory of Nyssa

A modern monk heard it said, and taught his brothers, that money is like manure. Unless it is quickly spread around, it does no good, but scorches and defiles what it covers.
- Evergetinos

Seest thou how by the place, by the things that waste there, He draws men off from this desire that is here, and rivets them to Heaven, where all things are impregnable? For if ye transfer your wealth there where neither rust nor moth corrupts, nor thieves break through and steal, ye will both expel this disease, and establish your soul in the greatest abundance.
-St. John Chrysostom, Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century


And together with what we have said, He brings forward an example also to teach thee moderation. And like as the physician, to alarm the sick man ... He also bring in the rich man, laboring indeed, and longing for life and health, but not able to attain thereto, because of having set his heart on covetousness, but going away empty ....
-St. John Chrysostom, Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century


How then is it possible for the rich man to be saved. By possessing his goods in common with them that are in need, being such as Job was, and exterminating out of his soul the desire of more, and in no points going beyond real need ....
-St. John Chrysostom, Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century


But what now do we learn from hence? That no man can protect us there, if we are betrayed by our works, not because he will not, but because he cannot. For these too take refuge in the impossibility. This the blessed Abraham also indicated, saying, "Between us and you there is a great gulf," so that not even when willing is it permitted them to pass it ... the end of each one is at the doors, whether he be old or young; and it is not possible for men after they have gone hence, either to buy oil any more, or to obtain pardon by prayers, though he that entreats be Abraham, or Noah, or Job, or Daniel.
-St. John Chrysostom, Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century


The things that have come into being have received from the Creator their proper place, their beginning and, in some cases, their end. But there is no boundary to virtue. The psalmist says, 'I have seen the end the end of all perfection, but Your commandment is very broad and is without limit' (Ps. 118:96). Now if it is true...that love never fails (I Cor. 13:8),... then love has no boundary, and both in the present age and in the future age we will never cease to progress in it, as we add light to light.
-St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 26: On Discernment; Paulist Press pgs. 250-251, 6th century


...every tree is known by its own fruit. So also is love known by its own fruit and the love of which Christianity speaks is known by its own fruit - revealing that it has in itself the truth of the eternal. All other love, whether humanly speaking it withers early and is altered or lovingly preserves itself for a round of time - such love is still transient; it merely blossoms. This is precisely its weakness and tragedy, whether it blossoms for an hour or for seventy years - it merely blossoms; but Christian love is eternal.
-Soren Kierkegaard, Works of Love, Chapter 1; Harper Torchbooks pg. 25, 19th century


If your tongue is used to chattering, your heart will remain dim and foreign to the luminous intuitions of the Holy Spirit. But if your mouth is silent, your heart will ever be aflame with the spirit…hush your tongue that your heart may speak, and hush your heart that God may speak.

St. John of Dalyatha
Homily on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
-St. John of Dalyatha, Homily on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit