Richard G. Petty, MD

Wisdom and Humility

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“I have seen unlearned men who were truly humble, and they became wiser than the wise. Another unlearned man, upon hearing them praised, instead of imitating their humility, prided himself on being unlearned and so fell into arrogance.”        

–St. Mark the Ascetic (a.k.a. Marcus Eremita, Athenian-born Monk and Desert Father, Fifth Century)       

{On the Spiritual Law: Philokalia Vol. 1″, p. 115, text 79-80}


“The Philokalia Vol 1: 001” (G.E.H. Palmer, Kallistos Timothy Ware, Philip Sherrard)

Knowledge of the Divine

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“Knowledge of created beings is one thing, and knowledge of the divine truth is another. The second surpasses the first just as the sun outshines the moon. Knowledge of created beings increases the more we observe the commandments actively; but knowledge of the truth grows the more we hope in Christ.”

–St. Mark the Ascetic {a.k.a. Marcus Eremita, Athenian-born Monk and Desert Father, Fifth Century}   

{No Righteousness by Works: “Philokalia Vol. 1”, p. 137, text 144-145}


“The Philokalia Vol 1: 001” (G.E.H. Palmer, Kallistos Timothy Ware, Philip Sherrard)

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