Advice To Those In The World

Ἤκουσά τινων ἐν κόσμῳ ἀμελῶς διακειμένων, εἰρηκότων πρός με· Πῶς δυνάμεθα ὁμοζύγῳ συζῶντες, καὶ δημοσίαις φροντίσι περικείμενοι τὸν μοναδικὸν βίον μετελθεῖν; Πρὸς οὔς ἀπεκρίθημεν. Πάντα ὅσα δύνασθε ποιεῖν ἀγαθὰ, ποιήσατε· μηδένα λοιδορήσητε· μηδένα κλέψητε· μηδενὶ ψεύσησθε· μνδενὸς κατεπερθῆτε· μηδένα μισήσητε· τῶν συνάξεων μὴ χωρίζησθε· τοῖς δεομένοις συμπαθήσατε· μηδένα σκανδαλίσητε· ἀλλοτρίᾳ μερίδι μὴ προσεγγίσητε· καὶ ἀρκεῖσθε τοῖς ὀψωνίοις τῶν γυναικῶν ὑμῶν. Ἐὰν οὗτως ποιήσατε, οὐ μακρὰν ἔσεσθε τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν. Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης τῆς Κλίμακος, ἡ Κλίμαξ, Λογος A’ Source: Migne PG 88.640c-641a

I have heard some who live happily in the world ask me: 'How can we lead the monastic life when we are married and beset with worldly cares?' I answered them: 'Do every good thing that you can. Do not speak ill of anyone. Do not steal from anyone. Do not lie to anyone. Do not scorn anyone. Do not hate anyone. Do not neglect to attend Church. Show compassion to those in need. Do not scandalise anyone. Do not attach yourself to another man's wife but be content with what your own wife gives you. If you act like this, you will not be far from the kingdom of Heaven.' Saint John Climacus, The Ladder, from Step 1