Humble yourself and reproach yourself. Do not justify yourself, even if you are absolutely right, for self-justification is not conducive to the healing of our spiritual illness.
If you want to be fragrant, embrace a humble, simple, obedient, and meek spirit. Despise egotism as a stench and stupidity. You do very well to reproach yourself in everything. This path is most true to the Fathers. Yes, my child, implant this manner of life deeply within your dear little soul and you will benefit enormously.
From the book
Councels from the Holy mountain
Selected from the letters and homilies of Elder Efraim of Arizona
subm. no. 6
paragraphs: 19, 20, 21, 22 from pages 226-227
Selection of passages from the book by Silviu Podariu
