Many things are taught to the pupils of educational establishments, but they often do not know the one thing which is needful — God and themselves, nor their sins, their spiritual infirmities, their nothingness without God and before God. 

Remember the prayer of St. Ephraem the Syrian: " Lord! let me see my transgressions." 

To see our sins in their multitude and in all their abomination is indeed a gift of God bestowed in consequence of fervent prayer. 

The above applies equally to many learned, rich, and distinguished persons: they know much, they possess much, but they do not know and often have not the essential.

"Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight."

Wonderful are Thy works! 

It is evident that the grace of God and the blessings of this world are not the same thing, and our attachment to them is incompatible with the grace of God.

St John of Kronstadt