Growth And Benefit

Σπόρος οὐκ αὐξηθήσεται δίχα γῆς καὶ ὕδατος· καὶ οὑκ ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς ἑκουσίων πόνων καὶ θείας ἀντιλήψεως. Οὐκ ἔστιν χωρὶς νέφους ἐπιχυθῆναι βροχὴν, οὐδὲ χωρὶς συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς εὐαρεστῆσαι Θεῷ Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: MignePG 65.940b

A seed will not grow without earth and water, and a man will not profit without voluntary labour and the assistance of God. Without clouds there is no rain, without a good conscience there is no pleasing God. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works