The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
-St. Ambrose of Milan, Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

But you cannot be a neighbour unless you have compassion on him; for no one can be called a neighbour unless he have healed, not killed, another. But if you wish to be called a neighbour, Christ says to you: "Go and do likewise."
-St. Ambrose of Milan, Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

Godly love cannot be perfect unless a man love his neighbor also. Under which name must be included not only those who are connected with us by friendship or neighborhood, but absolutely all men, with whom we have a common nature, whether they be foes or allies, slaves or free.
-St. Gregory the Dialogist, Sermon 12, On the Fast, 6th century


For whosoever superintends the healing of wounds must needs administer in wine the smart of pan, and in oil the softness of loving-kindness, to the end that through wine what is festering may be purged, and through oil what is curable may be soothed.
-St. Gregory the Dialogist, On the Life of the Pastor. Chapter 6, 6th century


The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.
-St. Ephraim the Syrian, ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.

Let us make our mercifulness abundant, let us give proof of much love to man, both by the use of our money, and by our actions. ... Go then, and put a stop to the evil; pull out them that are drowning, though you descend into the very depth of the surge.
-St. John Chrysostom, Homily 15 on Matthew 5, 4th Century


For the One Maker fashioned us, the One Creator breathed life into us; we all enjoy the same sky and air, the same days and nights, and, though some be good, others bad, some righteous, others unrighteous, yet GOD is bountiful to all, kind to all.
-St. Gregory the Dialogist, Sermon 12, On the Fast, 6th century


Gentleness, then, is to be mingled with severity; a sort of compound is to be made of both; so that subjects be neither exulcerated by too much asperity, nor relaxed by too greatkindness.
-St. Gregory the Dialogist, On the Life of the Pastor. Chapter 6, 6th century


When a man reveres God with all his heart and with faith, he receives through God's providence the power to control anger and desire; for it is desire and anger which are the cause of all evils.
-St. Antony the Great, On the Character of Men no. 12, Philokalia Vol. 1 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 331, 4th century