“A
continuously happy life produces extremely unhappy consequences. In nature we
see that there are not always pleasant springs and fruitful summers, and
sometimes autumn is rainy and winter cold and snowy, and there is flooding and
wind and storms, and moreover the crops fail and there are famine, troubles,
sicknesses and many other misfortunes. All of this is beneficial so that man
might learn through prudence, patience and humility. For the most part, in
times of plenty he forgets himself, but in times of various sorrows he becomes
more attentive to his salvation.”
Source: http://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/2014/10/08/st-ambrose-of-optina-a-continuously-happy-life-produces-extremely-unhappy-consequences/
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