Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XI/John Cassian/The Twelve Books/Book XII/Chapter 9

Chapter IX.

How we too may overcome pride.

so we can escape the snare of this most evil spirit, if in the case of every virtue in which we feel that we make progress, we say these words of the Apostle: &#8220;Not I, but the grace of God with me,&#8221; and &#8220;by the grace of God I am what I am;&#8221; and &#8220;it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.&#8221; As the author of our salvation Himself also says: &#8220;If a man abide in me and I in him, the same beareth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.&#8221; And &#8220;Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.&#8221; And &#8220;Vain is it for you to rise up before light.&#8221; For &#8220;it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.&#8221;