A brother asked Poemen about the words, "Do not render evil for evil" (I Thessalonians 5:15). He said to him, "The passions work in four stages: first in the heart, then in the face, third in words, fourth in deeds -- and it is in deeds that it is essential not to render evil for evil. If you purify your heart, passion will not show in your expression, but if it does, take care not to speak about it; if you do speak, cut the conversation short in case you render evil for evil."
~~Pure Heart by Lisa Rough
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