Nothing is more precious to man than intelligence. Its power is such as to enable us to adore God through intelligent speech and thanksgiving. By contrast, when we use futile or slanderous speech we condemn our soul. Now it is characteristic of an obtuse man to lay the blame for his sins on the conditions of his birth or on something else, while in fact his words and actions are evil through his own free choice.
– St. Anthony the Great, from the Philokalia
Featured image: The Temptation of St. Anthony, c.1525. By a follower of Hieronymus Bosch
