Quote #25

How great punishment must they deserve, who, far from themselves forgiving, do even entreat God for vengeance on their enemies, and as it were diametrically transgress this law; and this while He is doing and contriving all, to hinder our being at variance one with another? For since love is the root of all that is good, He, removing from all sides whatever mars it, brings us together, and cements us to each other.

More from John Chrysostom

  1. Many, throwing themselves prostrate, and striking the ground with their forehead, and pouring forth hot tears, and groaning bitterly from t…
  2. If in order to put an end to public wars, and tumults, and battles, the Priest is exhorted to offer prayers for kings and governors, much m…
  3. Prayer for our enemies is the very highest summit of self-control.
  4. To conquer enemies does not render kings so illustrious, as to conquer wrath and anger. For, in the former case, the success is due to arms…
  5. Praying against one's personal enemies is a transgression of law.
  6. There are three very grievous kinds of war. The one is public, when our soldiers are attacked by foreign armies: The second is, when even i…
  7. 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.
  8. [A]lthough the tradition of Chrysostom continued to cause unbridled vituperation for Jews and Judaism, climaxing in the violence of 1096 an…

All John Chrysostom quotes