Quote by St. Maximos the Confessor

“Many human activities, good in themselves, are not good because of the motive for which they are done. For example, fasting and vigils, prayer and psalmody, acts of charity and hospitality are by nature good, but when performed for the sake of self-esteem they are not good.”


– St. Maximos the Confessor
Four Hundred Texts on Love, Second Century


Source Online:

http://orthodoxchurchquotes.com/category/sayings-from-saints-elders-and-fathers/st-maximos-the-confessor/