Monk Simeon of Athos on suffering, forgiveness, listening and peace of soul

Who is the best teacher? – Suffering.
Who is the worst teacher? – Pleasure.
What is the rarest skill? – The ability to give.
What is the greatest skill? – The ability to forgive.
What is the most difficult skill? – The ability to keep silent.
What is the most important skill? – The ability to ask questions.
Which skill is the most necessary? – The ability to listen.
Which struggle is the most dangerous? – Fanaticism.
What is the most unpleasant habit? – Quarrelling.
What is the most harmful habit? – Talkativeness.
Who is the strongest person? – He who is able to grasp the Truth.
Who is the weakest person? – He who considers himself the strongest.
Who is the wisest person? – He who guards his heart.
Which attachment is the most dangerous? – Attachment to one's own body.
Who is the poorest person? – He who loves money most of all.
Who is closest to God? – The merciful.
Who is the weakest person? – He who has defeated others.
Who is the strongest person? – He who has defeated himself.
How should we withstand grief? – With joy.
How should we bear suffering? – With patience.
What is the sign of a healthy soul? – Faith.
What is the sign of a sick soul? – Despair.
What is the sign of wrong actions? – Irritability.
What is the sign of good deeds? – Peace in the soul.

Monk Simeon of Athos