Tag Archives: The Ladder of Divine Ascent

The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Vainglory and Pride

Thisentryis part 6 of 8 in the series The Ladder of Divine AscentFrom John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus: Like the sun which shines on all alike, vainglory beams on every occupation. What I mean is this. I fast, and turn vainglorious. I stop fasting so that I will draw no […]

The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Insensitivity

Thisentryis part 5 of 8 in the series The Ladder of Divine AscentFrom John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus: The insensitive man is a foolish philosopher, an exegete condemned by his own words, a scholar who contradicts himself, a blind man teaching sight to others. He talks about healing a wound […]

The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Avarice and Poverty

Thisentryis part 4 of 8 in the series The Ladder of Divine AscentFrom The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus: "Do not say that you are interested in money for the sake of the poor, for two mites were sufficient to purchase the kingdom of heaven (cf. Luke 21:2)." […] "The pretext of almsgiving is the […]

The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Talkativeness and Silence

Thisentryis part 4 of 8 in the series The Ladder of Divine Ascent From The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus: "Talkativeness is the throne of vainglory on which it loves to preen itself and show off. Talkativeness is a sign of ignorance, a doorway to slander, a leader of jesting, a […]

The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Placidity, Meekness, Malice, and Slander

Thisentryis part 3 of 8 in the series The Ladder of Divine AscentFrom The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus: "You wish, or rather, have decided, to remove a splinter from someone? Very well, but do not go after it with a stick instead of a lancet for you will only drive it deeper. […]