“icons do with color what Scripture does with words.”
Seventh Ecumenical Council
truisms
Gluttony makes a man gloomy and fearful, but fasting makes him joyful and courageous. And, as gluttony calls forth greater and greater gluttony, so fasting stimulates greater and greater endurance. When a man realizes the grace that comes through fasting, he desires to fast more and more. And the graces that come through fasting are countless.
Saint Nikolai of Zicha
Some people living carelessly in the world put a question to me: "How can we who are married and living amid public cares aspire to the monastic life?" I answered: "Do whatever you may. Speak evil of no one. Tell no lie. Despise no one and carry no hate. Do not separate yourself from the church assemblies. Show compassion to the needy. Do not be a cause of scandal to anyone. Stay away from the bed of another, and be satisfied with what your own wives can provide you. If you do all this, you will not be far from the kingdom of heaven."
St. John Climacus - The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Tears caused by fear give some protection, but tears produced by a love that, as may well happen, has not yet attained perfection can be easily stolen. Of course, the reminder of eternal fire can stir the heart at certain efficacious times, and this humbler way is, surprisingly, very often the safer way.
St. John Climacus.