Regarding fear, our Scripture expresses itself in these terms: "Holy is the fear of the Lord, which lasts forever and ever." But we should really clarify that this fear is to be distinguished from that other fear about which the apostle says, "In love there is no fear, but perfect love banishes fear." The apostle is referring here to a fear that prevents…

Who could say anything clearer or of more value? "Pride is the beginning," it says, not simply of some but "of every sin," in order to emphasize how pride is, in itself, the cause of all sins. Not only is it in itself sin, but also no sin could have been, can be or ever will be committed without pride. Every sin, in effect, is nothing other than contempt…