Saint John the Little on Perfection

I really love this quote by Saint John the Short as it really simplifies the otherwise seemingly humongous task of leading a virtuous life. It does not mean that we have to be perfect in every aspect of the word, but we ought to simply toil to acquire a little bit of each. I urge you to read it, read it again, and read it once more to fully take it in. 🙂

Here is the rest of the quote by Saint John:

“I think it is best that a man should have a little bit of all the virtues. Therefore, get up early every day and acquire the beginning of every virtue and every commandment of God. Use great patience, with fear and long-suffering, in the love of God, with all the fervor of your soul and body. Exercise great humility, bear with interior distress; be vigilant and pray often with reverence, with purity of speech and control of your eyes. When you are despised do not get angry; be at peace, and do not render evil for evil. Do not pay attention to the faults of others, and do not try to compare yourself with others, knowing you are less than every created thing. Renounce everything material and that which is of the flesh. Live by the cross, in warfare, in poverty of spirit, in voluntary spiritual asceticism, in fasting, penitence and tears, in discernment, in purity of soul, taking hold of that which is good. Do your work in peace. Persevere in keeping vigil, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, and in sufferings.”