“Wealth without work

Pleasure without conscience

Science without humanity

Knowledge without character

Politics without principle

Commerce without morality

Worship without sacrifice.

https://vidjambov.blogspot.com/2023/01/book-inventory-vladimir-djambov-talmach.html

How modestly and delicately St. Ignatius Brianchaninov wrote to those who turned to him for advice: “ Know that I do not appropriate any power over you, but when I give you advice, I leave it to your will to fulfill it or not to fulfill it. In either case, be peaceful.” [ 28] “I repeat what was said in my 4th letter: “I do not bind you with anything external. Do what you recognize as the best for your circumstances: in everything that you do with a good purpose, be the blessing of God” ” [29] . “I am not binding you with anything external! I don't have my blessing! I bless by invoking the blessing of God!” Here is an example of a true mentor! Every true spiritual leader must lead souls to Christ, not to himself.

“Then the Instructors fulfill their duty when they seek that in the souls they bring to Christ Christ alone may be exalted and grown. They want to diminish in the opinion of their led ones, if only Christ would be exalted for them, then these Instructors feel the fullness of joy, as having reached the end of their desires. On the contrary, those who bring the souls entrusted to their leadership to themselves, and not to Christ, I will say unmistakably, commit adultery ” [30] .

Let us remember that the holy mentors of the recent past unanimously say that our time is the time of compelling oneself to the personal study of the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Fathers. There were times of illiteracy - and then the Lord gave leaders. And now everyone is literate, a lot of patristic literature is published - and we ourselves must study everything, while consulting with people who know and understand more than we, wiser, but taking their advice with caution.