“Such are the
souls of the saints: they love their enemies more than themselves, and in this
age and in the age to come they put their neighbor first in all things, even
though because of his ill-will he may be their enemy. They do not seek
recompense from those whom they love, but because they have themselves received
they rejoice in giving to others all that they have, so that they may conform
to their Benefactor and imitate His compassion to the best of their ability;
‘for He is bountiful to the thankless and to sinners’ (cf. Luke 6:35).”
By St. Peter of
Damaskos,
“Book I: A Treasury of Divine Knowledge,”
The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 3)
Source: http://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/2014/06/22/st-peter-of-damascus-such-are-the-souls-of-the-saints-they-love-their-enemies-more-than-themselves-and/
CONVERSATION