John Chrysostom quotes - page 2

John Chrysostom was an influential early Christian bishop and preacher, famed for his eloquent sermons and writings. Renowned as one of the greatest Church Fathers, he played a major role in shaping Christian theology and liturgy. He is remembered for his advocacy of social justice and his criticism of abuses within the church and society. Here are 123 of his quotes:

Many can give money to those in need, but to personally serve the needy readily, out of love, and in a fraternal spirit, requires a truly great soul.

John Chrysostom

Are you angry? Be angry at your sins, beat your soul, afflict your conscience, but strict in judgement and a terrible punisher of your own sins. This is the benefit of anger, wherefore God placed it in us.

John Chrysostom

God is everywhere. You decide whether you are close to Him or not.

John Chrysostom

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness. Let no one lament their poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn their transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free.

John Chrysostom

Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent.

John Chrysostom

Do you fast? Then feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, do not forget the imprisoned, have pity on the tortured, comfort those who grieve and who weep, be merciful, humble, kind, calm, patient, sympathetic, forgiving, reverent, truthful and pious, so that God might accept your fasting and might plentifully grant you the fruits of repentance. Fasting of the body is food for the soul.

John Chrysostom

He is mistaken who thinks that the fast consists only in abstinence from food. True fasting is departing from evil.

John Chrysostom

Where the husband, and the wife, and the children are in accord and united by the bonds of virtue, there is Christ among them.

John Chrysostom

Prayer is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.

John Chrysostom

Please listen to me - you are not paying attention. I am talking to you about the Holy Scriptures, and you are looking at the lamps and the people lighting them. It is very frivolous to be more interested in what the lamplighters are doing... After all, I am lighting a lamp too - the lamp of God's Word.

John Chrysostom

This is the highest point of philosophy, to be simple & wise; this is the angelic life.

John Chrysostom

It is not wine that is evil, but drunkenness.

John Chrysostom

We are commanded to have only one enemy, the devil. With him never be reconciled! But with a brother, never be at enmity in thy heart.

John Chrysostom

The Priest is the common father, as it were, of all the world; it is proper therefore that he should care for all, even as God, Whom he serves.

John Chrysostom

The Jews were God's chosen people.

John Chrysostom

When an archer desires to shoot his arrows successfully, he first takes great pains over his posture and aligns himself accurately with his mark. It should be the same for you who are about to shoot the head of the wicked devil. Let us be concerned first for the good order of sensations and then for the good posture of inner thoughts.'

John Chrysostom

Is it not excessively ridiculous to seek the good opinion of those whom you would never wish to be like?

John Chrysostom

Endurance is the queen of all virtues.

John Chrysostom

Nothing causes us to so nearly resemble God as the forgiveness of injuries.

John Chrysostom

And all men are ready to pass judgement on the priest as if he was not a being clothed with flesh, or one who inherited a human nature.

John Chrysostom

Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward & learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.

John Chrysostom

If you are a Christian, no earthly city is yours. Of our City ‘the Builder and Maker is God.' Though we may gain possession of the whole world, we are withal but strangers and sojourners in it all. We are enrolled in heaven: our citizenship is there! Let us not, after the manner of little children, despise things that are great, and admire those which are little! Not our city's greatness, but virtue of soul is our ornament and defence. If you suppose dignity to belong to a city, think how many persons must partake in this dignity, who are whoremongers, effeminate, depraved and full of ten thousand evil things, and at last despise such honour! But that City above is not of this kind; for it is impossible that he can be a partaker of it, who has not exhibited every virtue.

John Chrysostom