These things I command you, that ye love one another (John 15:17).

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away  

(I Corinthians 13:1­8).

A Christian ought always to have the remembrance of God, for it is written: "Love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart," in order that he would love the Lord not only when he enters a house of prayer, but would also have the remembrance of God and love and desire when he walks, converses, eats and drinks; for it is said: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21).

 Venerable Macarius the Great

Love for God and one's neighbor, manifested gradually out of the fear of God, is entirely spiritual, inexplicably holy, refined, humble, is infinitely different from human love in its usual state, cannot be compared with any love that moves in our fallen nature, no matter how correct and sacred this natural love might be. 

Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov

I have nothing that I might offer to Thee, no good work, no pure heart; but, hoping in Thy compassions, I prostrate myself in order that Thou wouldst bring me to contrition and the constant doing of Thy commandments, and that I would not fall again into sin with such ease, but henceforth would serve Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life. 

Venerable Ephraim the Syrian

Do not require love from thy neighbor, for he who requires it is troubled if he does not encounter it; but it is better that thou thyself show love toward thy neighbor and in this way bring also thy neighbor to love. 

Venerable Abba Dorotheus