Quotes by St. Basil

“Not the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existence.”

“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”

“Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger.”

“Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account you will find that some comfort is to be derived from them.”

“Troubles are usually brooms and shovels that smooth the road to the good mans fortune; and many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away hunger.”

“Let sleep itself be an exercise in piety, for such as our life and conduct have been, so also of necessity will be our dreams.”

“A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy, reaps friendship; he who plants kindness, gathers love; pleasure bestowed on a grateful mind was never sterile, but generally gratitude begets reward.”

“[The pope focused on scriptural readings that said Gods love was seen in the] marvels of creation. ... fooled by the atheism that they carry inside of them, imagine a universe free of direction and order, as if at the mercy of chance.”

“Truly unexpected tidings make both ears tingle.”