truisms

Ekaterina · Post by **Ekaterina** » Mon 18 December 2006 11:21 am

It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow. It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.

Benjamin Franklin

Wherefore on no account suffer any evil habit to master thee; but, while it is yet young, pluck the evil root out of thine heart, lest it fasten on and strike root so deep that time and labor be required to uproot it. And the reason that greater sins assault us and get the mastery of our souls is that those which appear to be less, such as wicked thoughts, unseemly words and evil communications, fail to receive proper correction.

St. John Damascene, Barlaam and Ioasaph

As long as you have bad habits do not reject hardship, so that through it you may be humbled and eject your pride.

St. Maximos the Confessor (Second Century on Love no. 43)

Ekaterina · Post by **Ekaterina** » Mon 18 December 2006 11:23 am

It is the eye of other people that ruin us. If I were blind I would want, neither fine clothes, fine houses or fine furniture.

Benjamin Franklin

The desire for possessions is dangerous and terrible, knowing no satiety; it drives the soul which it controls to the heights of evil. Therefore, let us drive it away vigorously from the beginning. For once it has become master it cannot be overcome.

St. Isidore of Pelusium, commemorated 4 February

Ekaterina · Post by **Ekaterina** » Mon 18 December 2006 11:23 am

Life's Tragedy is that we get old to soon and wise too late.

Benjamin Franklin

Ekaterina · Post by **Ekaterina** » Mon 18 December 2006 11:25 am

Many a long dispute among divines may be thus abridged: It is so. It is not so. It is so. It is not so.

Benjamin Franklin

And perhaps in another way:
Many a long dispute among the Orthodox may be thus abridged: It is so. It is not so. It is so. It is not so.

Ekaterina · Post by **Ekaterina** » Mon 18 December 2006 11:25 am

Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself to it.

Benjamin Franklin

Ekaterina · Post by **Ekaterina** » Mon 18 December 2006 11:26 am

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Benjamin Franklin

Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.

Benjamin Franklin

Ekaterina · Post by **Ekaterina** » Mon 18 December 2006 11:27 am

The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.

Benjamin Franklin