110+ Saint John Chrysostom Quotes On Marriage, Death And Prayer

Saint John Chrysostom was a 4th century Christian theologian and preacher from Antioch. He is known for his eloquent preaching style and is sometimes referred to as the "golden-mouthed" for his gift of oratory. He is one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Saint John Chrysostom on marriage, death, love.

Top 10 Saint John Chrysostom Quotes

1. It is impossible to be saved without the help of the Most Blessed Virgin, because those who are not saved by the justice of God are saved by the intercession of Mary.
2. The road to Hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lamp posts that light the path.
3. To destroy the fetus 'is something worse than murder.' The one who does this 'does not take away life that has already been born, but prevents it from being born.'
4. The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.
5. God loves us more than a father, mother, friend, or any else could love, and even more than we are able to love ourselves.
6. The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much.
7. The Eucharist is a fire that inflames us, that, like lions breathing fire, we may retire from the altar being made terrible to the devil.
8. It is better to err by excess of mercy than by excess of severity. . .Wilt thou become a Saint? Be severe to thyself but kind to others.
9. Faithfulness in little things is a big thing.
10. Poor human reason, when it trusts in itself, substitutes the strangest absurdities for the highest divine concepts

Saint John Chrysostom Short Quotes

• Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
• The desire to rule is the mother of heresies.
• Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan.
• As a moth gnaws a garment, so doth envy consume a man.
• Dost thou wish to receive mercy? Show mercy to thy neighbor.
• Slander is worse than cannibalism.
• I do not think there are many among Bishops that will be saved, but many more that perish.
• Woman -a foe of friendship, an inescapable punishment, a necessary evil.
• What greater work is there than training the mind and forming the habits of the young?
• He that enjoys naught without thanksgiving is as though he robbed God.

Saint John Chrysostom Quotes About Love

When we teach our children to be good, to be gentle, to be forgiving (all these are attributes of God), to be generous, to love their follow men, to regard this present age as nothing, we instill virtue in their souls, and reveal the image of God within them. — Saint John Chrysostom

Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved. — Saint John Chrysostom

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. — Saint John Chrysostom

You carry your snare everywhere and spread your nets in all places. You allege that you never invited others to sin. You did not indeed, by your words, but you have done so by your dress and your deportment. — Saint John Chrysostom

Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice. — Saint John Chrysostom

To love Christ -means not to be a hireling, not to look upon a noble life as an enterprise or trade, but to be a true benefactor and to do everything only for the sake of love for God. — Saint John Chrysostom

Do you think that the man-loving God has given you much so that you could use it only for your own benefit? No, but so that your abundance might supply the lack of others. — Saint John Chrysostom

Nothing will divide the church so much as the love of power. — Saint John Chrysostom

The love of husband and wife is the force that welds society together. — Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom Quotes About Prayer

You cannot pray at home, like you can at church, where there is a great multitude; where exclamations are cried out to God as from one great heart, and where there is something more: the unions of minds, the accord of souls, the bond of charity, the prayers of priests. — Saint John Chrysostom

Prayer should be the means by which I, at all times, receive all that I need, and, for this reason, be my daily refuge, my daily consolation, my daily joy, my source of rich and inexhaustible joy in life. — Saint John Chrysostom

You can set up an altar to God in your minds by means of prayer. And so it is fitting to pray at your trade, on a journey, standing at a counter or sitting at your handicraft. — Saint John Chrysostom

It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life. — Saint John Chrysostom

The test of sincerity of one's prayer is the willingness to labor on its behalf. — Saint John Chrysostom

We pray not to inform God or instruct Him but to beseech Him closely, to be made intimate with Him, by continuance in supplication; to be humbled; to be reminded of our sins. — Saint John Chrysostom

When we once begin to form good resolutions, God gives us every opportunity of carrying them out. — Saint John Chrysostom

Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of our words, but on the fervor of our souls. — Saint John Chrysostom

Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine which is never exhausted, a sky unobscured by clouds, a heaven unruffled by the storm. It is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings. — Saint John Chrysostom

Prayer is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings. — Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom Quotes About Fasting

Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor. — Saint John Chrysostom

Fasting of the body is food for the soul. — Saint John Chrysostom

Fasting is a medicine. — Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom Famous Quotes And Sayings

If you wish to leave much wealth to your children, leave them in God's care. Do not leave them riches, but virtue and skill. For if they learn to expect riches, they will not mind anything besides, and their abundant riches shall give them the means of screening the wickedness of their ways. — Saint John Chrysostom

No one has ever been accused for not providing ornaments, but for those who neglect their neighbour a hell awaits with an inextinguishable fire and torment in the company of the demons. Do not, therefore, adorn the church and ignore your afflicted brother, for he is the most precious temple of all. — Saint John Chrysostom

If there were no tribulation, there would be no rest; if there were no winter, there would be no summer. — Saint 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. — Saint John Chrysostom

God helps those who work, not those who are idle. No one helps an inactive person, but one who joins in the labor. The good God himself will bring...work to perfection. — Saint John Chrysostom

A friend is more to be longed for than the light; I speak of a genuine one. And wonder not: for it were better for us that the sun should be extinguished, than that we should be deprived of friends; better to live in darkness, than to be without friends — Saint John Chrysostom

You can call happy those who saw Him... But, come to the altar and you will see Him, you will touch Him, you will give to Him holy kisses, you will wash Him with your tears, you will carry Him within you like Mary Most Holy. — Saint John Chrysostom

Imagine your anger to be a kind of wild beast, because it has ferocious teeth and claws, and if you don't tame it, it will devastate all things even corrupting the soul. — Saint John Chrysostom

When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in church, be there in silence, fear, and veneration. — Saint John Chrysostom

What is it to be a fool for Christ? It is to control one's thoughts when they stray out of line. It is to make the mind empty and free. — Saint John Chrysostom

If repentance is neglected for an instant, one can lose the power of the Resurrection as he lives with the weakness of tepidity and the potential of his fall. — Saint John Chrysostom

Every family should have a room where Christ is welcome in the person of the hungry and thirsty stranger. — Saint John Chrysostom

If we approach with faith, we too will see Jesus... for the Eucharistic table takes the place of the crib. Here the Body of the Lord is present, wrapped not in swaddling clothes but in the rays of the Holy Spirit. — Saint John Chrysostom

When the Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels, who adore the Divine Victim immolated on the altar. — Saint John Chrysostom

This is the rule of most perfect Christianity, its most exact definition, its highest point, namely, the seeking of the common good ... for nothing can so make a person an imitator of Christ as caring for neighbors. — Saint John Chrysostom

If you say, "Would there were no wine" because of the drunkards, then you must say, going on by degrees, "Would there were no steel," because of the murderers, "Would there were no night," because of the thieves, "Would there were no light," because of the informers, and "Would there were no women," because of adultery. — Saint John Chrysostom

I hear no one boast, that he hath a knowledge of the Scriptures, but that he owneth a Bible written in golden characters. And tell me then, what profiteth this? The Holy Scriptures were not given to us that we should enclose them in books, but that we should engrave them upon our hearts. — Saint John Chrysostom

Nothing is more powerful than meekness. For as fire is extinguished by water, so a mind inflated by anger is subdued by meekness. By meekness we practice and make known our virtue, and also cause the indignation of our brother to cease, and deliver his mind from perturbation. — Saint John Chrysostom

Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all. — Saint John Chrysostom

How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment. — Saint John Chrysostom

Of all the afflictions that burden the human race, there is not one, whether spiritual or bodily, that cannot be healed by the Holy Scriptures. — Saint John Chrysostom

It is possible to offer fervent prayer even while walking in public or strolling alone or seated in your shop ... while buying or selling ... or even while cooking. — Saint John Chrysostom

Good men do not always have grace and favor, lest they should be puffed up, and grow insolent and proud. — Saint John Chrysostom

Every trace of the old philosophy and literatureof the ancient world has vanished from the face of the earth. — Saint John Chrysostom

Before they committed the crime of crimes, before they killed their Master, before the cross, before the slaying of Christ, [Jewish sacrifices were] an abomination. — Saint John Chrysostom

Just as those who are deprived of light cannot walk straight, so also those who do not behold the ray of the Holy Scriptures must necessarily sin, since they walk in the deepest darkness. — Saint John Chrysostom

Whether, therefore, we receive what we ask for, or do not receive it, let us still continue steadfast in prayer. For to fail in obtaining the desires of our heart, when God so wills it, is not worse than to receive it; for we know not as He does, what is profitable to us. — Saint John Chrysostom

The pains of hell are not the greatest part of hell; the loss of heaven is the weightiest woe of hell. — Saint John Chrysostom

Musicke doth withdraw our mindes from earthly cogitations, lifteth up our spirits into heaven, maketh them light and celestial. — Saint John Chrysostom

Do not the angels differs from us in this respect, that they do not want so many things as we do? Therefore the less we need, the more we are on our way to them; the more we need, the more we sink down to this perishable life. — Saint John Chrysostom

For if you change from inhumanity to alms giving, you have stretched fourth the hand that was withered. If you withdraw from theaters and go to church, you have cured the lame foot. If you draw back your eyes from a harlot ... you have opened them when they were blind ... These are the greatest miracles. — Saint John Chrysostom

Thus abide constantly with the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that the heart swallows the Lord and the Lord the heart, and the two become one. — Saint John Chrysostom

There is harm not only in trying to gain wealth but also in excessive concern with even the most necessary things. It is not enough to despise wealth, but you must also feed the poor and, more importantly, you must follow Christ. — Saint John Chrysostom

From the creation learn to admire thy Lord! And if any of the things thou see exceed thy comprehension, and thou are not able to find the reason thereof, yet for this glorify the Creator, that the wisdom of these works surpass thine understanding. — Saint John Chrysostom

The Holy Scriptures lead us to God and open the path to the knowledge of God. — Saint John Chrysostom

We ought not, as soon as we leave church, to plunge into business unsuited to church, but as soon as we get home, we should take the Scriptures into our hands, and call our wife and children to join us in putting together what we have heard in church. — Saint John Chrysostom

Intemperance is a hydra with a hundred heads. She never stalks abroad unaccompanied with impurity, anger, and the most infamous profligacies. — Saint John Chrysostom

The primary goal in the education of children is to teach, and to give the example of, a virtuous life. — Saint John Chrysostom

Mary was made Mother of God to obtain salvation for many who, on account of their wicked lives, could not be saved according to the rigor of Divine justice, but might be saved with the help of her sweet mercy and powerful intercession. — Saint John Chrysostom

Endurance is the queen of all virtues. — Saint John Chrysostom

No one can harm the man who does himself no wrong. — Saint John Chrysostom

If we were not passionately inclined to money or to vainglory, then we would not fear death or poverty. We would not know enmity or hatred, and we would not suffer from the sorrows of ourselves or others. — Saint John Chrysostom

We should not bear it with bad grace if the answer to our prayer is long delayed. Rather, let us, because of this, show great patience and resignation. For He delays for this reason: that we may offer Him a fitting occasion of honoring us through His divine providence. — Saint John Chrysostom

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

In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it. — Saint John Chrysostom

Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent. — Saint John Chrysostom

Nothing is more fallacious than wealth. To-day it is for thee; tomorrow it is against thee. It arms the eyes of the envious every where. It is a hostile comrade, a domestic enemy. — Saint 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. — Saint John Chrysostom

There are many poor men and poor women: set apart some one constantly to remain there: let the poor man be though but as a guard to thy house: let him be to thee wall and fence, shield and spear. Where alms are, the devil dares not approach, nor any other evil thing. — Saint John Chrysostom

For nothing so much disturbs the mind, though it be done for some beneficial purpose, as to innovate and introduce strange things, and most of all when this is done in matters relating to divine worship and the glory of God. — Saint John Chrysostom

The Holy Scriptures do not know any distinctions. They enjoin that all lead the life of monks. — Saint John Chrysostom

It is a shame for a man to desire honor because of his noble progenitors, and not to deserve it by his own virtue. — Saint John Chrysostom

It brings comfort to have companions in whatever happens. — Saint John Chrysostom

Memory of our good works makes us negligent and leads to arrogance. Do not think of your good deeds, so that God may remember them. — Saint John Chrysostom

Woman is a necessary evil, a natural temptation, a desirable calamity, a domestic peril, a deadly fascination, and a painted ill. — Saint John Chrysostom

Things themselves do not remain, but their effects do. Therefore we should not be mean and calculating with what we have but give with a generous hand. Look at how much people give to players and dancers-why not give just as much to Christ? — Saint John Chrysostom

This is what an excellent teacher does; he does not follow his disciples' fancy everywhere, but leads them to his own mind, and pulls up the thorns, and then puts the seed in, and does not answer at once in all cases to the questions put to him. — Saint John Chrysostom

God measures out affliction to our need. — Saint John Chrysostom

If then we have Angels, let us be sober, as though we were in the presence of tutors; for there is a demon present also. — Saint John Chrysostom

Let us not overlook so great a gain. — Saint John Chrysostom

Let us return from that Table like lions breathing out fire, terrifying to the devil! — Saint John Chrysostom

Words cannot express the joy which a friend imparts. — Saint John Chrysostom

God does not forsake you. It is because he wishes to increase your glory that oftentimes he permits you to fall sick. Keep up your courage so that you may also hear him say: Do you think I have dealt with you otherwise than that you may be shown to be just? — Saint John Chrysostom

Feet were made, not given for dancing, but to walk modestly, not to leap impudently like camels. — Saint John Chrysostom

I exhort and entreat you all, disregard what this man and that man thinks about these things, and inquire from the Scriptures all these things. — Saint 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. — Saint John Chrysostom

Why do you beat the air and run in vain? Every occupation has a purpose, obviously. Tell me then, what is the purpose of all the activity of the world? Answer, I challenge you! It is vanity of vanity: all is vanity. — Saint John Chrysostom

No matter how just your words may be, when you speak with anger, you ruin all: no matter how boldly you speak, how fairly reprove, or what not. — Saint John Chrysostom

Labor: a powerful medicine. — Saint John Chrysostom

What prayer could be more true before God the Father than that which the Son, who is Truth, uttered with His own lips? — Saint John Chrysostom

Life Lessons by Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom taught that humility and service to others are essential traits of a Christian. He emphasized the importance of charity, compassion, and forgiveness in our lives. He also highlighted the importance of living a life of faith and prayer, and of seeking to serve God with all our heart.