“Therefore, my child, now that it is still the beginning, see to it that you know yourself well, so that you set humility as a  firm foundation. See to it that you learn obedience and acquire the prayer. May “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” be your breath. Do not leave your mind idle, so that you aren’t taught evil things. Don’t let yourself look at the faults of others, because without knowing it, you will become the evil one’s partner without any progress in virtue. Do not out of ignorance ally yourself with the enemy of your soul.  The cunning enemy knows very well how to hide behind passions and weaknesses. So in order to strike him, you must light and mortify yourself—all your passions, that is. When the “old man” dies, the strength of your hostile enemy is abolished.”

– ‘Monastic Wisdom’