Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

Overbearingness

In Categories: Miscellaneous Topics

These two passions of overbearingness and cowardice, though they appear to be opposites, are both caused by weakness.

Overbearingness pulls one upwards and is outwardly something startling and frightening, like some powerless bear, while cowardice flees like a chased dog.

No one who suffers from either of these two passions puts his trust in the Lord, and therefore he cannot stand firm in battle, whether he is overbearing or cowardly. REF:St. Peter Damaskos, "24 Discourses: Courage" - from G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Kallistos Ware, Trans., "The Philokalia -- Vol. III," (London: Faber and Faber, 1984), pp. 258.

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