Love toward your neighbor

Non-judgementalness and forgiveness

44. Once, Abba Isaiah saw someone committing a grave sin. The "starets" did not accuse him but said to himself: "If God, Who created him, sees this and is merciful toward him, then who am I to accuse him" (Abba Isaiah).

45. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13). If one overhears hurtful words and instead of replying with similar spite, restrains himself and remains silent, or, having been deceived bears it and doesn’t retaliate — through this he has laid down his soul for his friend (Abba Pimen).