John Climacus Quotes on God
John Climacus, also known as John of the Ladder, was a Byzantine Christian monk and philosopher of the late sixth and early seventh centuries, abbot of the monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, and the author of one of the most influential works of Christian spiritual philosophy ever written. This page collects quotes attributed to John Climacus on the topic of god, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to John Climacus:
“Each rung of the ladder is climbed by labor; the ladder itself is given by grace.”
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Attributed to John Climacus:
“Stillness is not the absence of speech; it is the presence of God.”
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Attributed to John Climacus:
“Tears in the spiritual life are a form of sight.”
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“In hastening to solitude and exile, do not wait for world-loving souls, because the thief comes unexpectedly. In trying to save the careless and indolent along with themselves, many perish with them, because in course of time the fire goes out. As soon as the flame is burning within you, run; for you do not know when it will go out and leave you in darkness. Not all of us are required to save others. The divine Apostle says, ... "Thou therefore who teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?" This is like saying: I do not know whether we must teach others; but teach yourselves at all costs.”
3:4 -
“Even if glory is God-given, yet it is excellent to divert it from oneself with the shield of humility.”
3:21 -
“A monastery is an earthly heaven.”
4:87