Do not shirk your own responsibilities in order to take refuge in God. Do not seek refuge in God in order to flee from yourself. God wants you to offer yourself to him as you are in order to elevate and sanctify you. Do not let the world push you toward God. Allow God to attract you to him.

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Give up any word that is not constructive. Speak only when your speech proves to be more profound and more eloquent than your silence. Do not allow your talk about the deep sea to prevent you from sailing on it.i

Aim for the essence. Distinguish in your life between what is essential and what is superficial, between fundamentals and secondary matters, between the kernel and the shell.

Homily of St Charbel