Seek, my child, the nobility
of the soul, for it is truth; that of the body is false. Do not seek
honor from men, for this injures one; but rather, seek heavenly glory .
. . . You are to be sympathetic with all the brethren and help them as
much as possible; and, you are to minister to them that are unable
or weak. Do not desire to live by another's labors . . . . Never
ridicule anyone, and especially when they are in misfortune. When you hear that a certain brother is disorderly, supplicate God to
correct his life. Visit and help the sick, and serve the brethren as
their servant; so you might be a friend of Christ Who, for your sake,
became a servant and minister. Always heed, my child, not to fall into
temptations. However, if it happens that you should fall, immediately rise up and amend yourself with repentance, and again
hasten to prayer. In this manner, live your life, my child, and God
shall always come to you and help you in soul and body.
St. Theodora of Alexandria, "The Lives of the Spiritual Mothers: An Orthodox Materikon of Women Monastics and Ascetics