"Truly, my child, if I were allowed to see my sins, three or four men would not be enough to weep for them."
Anonymous (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)
__________
Confessions of a studious man:
"About five years ago, I began to realize that twenty years of arduous study had made me scarcely wiser, smarter, or more knowledgeable than the average man on the street. By appearances, I was much more knowledgeable, maybe smarter, and, on a good day, wiser. But when contrasted with everything there is to know, contrasted with the omniscience of God? The distinction was hardly worth noticing.
"A little while ago, I began to realize the same thing about my pursuit of virtue. By appearances, I led a virtuous life: I had eliminated two or three habitual and serious sins from my behavior, I went to church regularly, I was faithful to my wife. By appearances, I am much more virtuous than, say, the lecherous drunk or crime-ridden wretch. But when contrasted with God and true holiness? I realize the distinction between the lecherous wretch and me is hardly worth noticing."
Anonymous (Ramblings of a Hermit Guy)
