For people who are just beginning to love piety, the path of virtue seems severe and fearful. And that is not because it is so in essence, but because such people have become used from childhood to live in pleasure and with total abandonment. For the one who has already lived a goodly portion of his life in piety, the path of virtue appears benevolent and joyful. That is because when we suppress our evil intentions with good habits, then our passion for pleasures of the flesh begins to disappear simultaneously. Afterwards the soul willingly follows the path of righteousness. For this reason the Lord, calling upon us to begin working on our salvation, says that strait and narrow is the way that leads unto life, and few are those who follow it (Matt. 7:14). To those who earnestly wish to live in accordance with His holy commandments He says: My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matt. 11:30)
Blessed Diodochus, Bishop of Photika.