Elder Paisios the Athonite. "Words." Vol. 5.
Only humble thoughts bring humility, and only humility makes pride go away. One preacher told me that he once prepared a very good sermon. He ascended the pulpit and began to speak, speaking very beautifully. Suddenly, a proud thought flashed through his mind, and he lost his train of thought. He burst into tears and descended from the pulpit, disgraced. Afterward, he was unable to deliver sermons for a long time—he had become ineffective. I said to him: “This happened to you because of pride. You became arrogant, and therefore the Grace of God departed. Now, start all over again with humility. When the time comes to ascend the pulpit, tell yourself: “If I lose my train of thought, it means that for spiritual benefit I must again become a laughingstock.” And if you suddenly begin to weep again, people will think you are crying from tenderness, and they will not be offended, but will benefit. So do not be afraid.” And indeed, he returned to his work and began to deliver sermons with humility, always prepared for humiliation.
