Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The inclination to irritability

is given to us to use against [our own] sin, and we were never meant to use it against our fellow men. When we do, we act contrary to nature. We use irritability in this wrong, deflected way because we are proud. You must, of course, strive to curb your irritability; but guard yourself against being elated if you succeed.

from Russian Letters of Spiritual Direction 1834-1860 Macarius, Starets of Optino, p. 79

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