Quotes from Jerome

They which run in a race run all, but one receives the crown. " But of us on the other hand it is said: " So run that you may obtain. " [ 1 Corinthians 9: 24 ] Our master of the games is not grudging; he does not give the palm to one and disgrace another. His wish is that all his athletes may alike win garlands.

Take Care not to have an itching tongue, nor tingling ears; neither attract others, nor listen to backbiters. [Letter to Nepotian]

To change one's disposition is a greater achievement than to change one's dress. It is harder for us to part with arrogance than with gold and gems.

if you do fall, repentance will restore you, and you who were hypocrites at baptism may have a firm faith in your repentance. Be not disturbed by the thought of a difference between the righteous and the penitent, and do not imagine that pardon even gives a lower place; rather believe that it takes away your crown. For there is one reward: he who stands on the right hand shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

if things which are good in themselves as being the handiwork of a good Creator are called vanity, it is because they are compared with things which are better still. For example, compared with a lamp, a lantern is good for nothing; compared with a star, a lamp does not shine at all; the brightest star pales before the moon; put the moon beside the sun, and it no longer looks bright; compare the sun with Christ, and it is darkness. " I am that I am, " God says; [ Exodus 3: 14 ]

And although to the strong he has pointed out the prize of their high calling, [ Philippians 3: 14 ] yet he suffers none to faint by the way; [ Matthew 15: 32 ] while he applauds those who lead the van, he does not despise those who bring up the rear.

For as salt seasons all food and nothing is so pleasant as to please the palate without it: so the bishop is the seasoning of the whole world and of his own Church

glory follows virtue as its shadow; and deserting those who seek it, it seeks those who despise it.

it is a thing much more worthy of admiration and praise to receive admonition meekly, than to admonish a transgressor boldly.

Envy always follows in the track of virtue: as Horace says, it is ever the mountain top that is smitten by the lightning.

he desired so to deliver them from that error as if he saw not them, but himself, entangled in it; thus truly loving his neighbour as himself, and doing to others as he would have others do to him if he required their help—a duty to the statement of which our Lord added these words, " This is the law and the prophets. " [ Matthew 7: 12 ]

self-confidence is the worst of teachers—but from the church's most famous writers.