Godly Answers to Man’s Existential Questions from Monk Simeon

Monk Simeon from Mount Athos provides answers to 24 of man’s existential questions.

1. What is the best teacher?
   – Suffering

2. And what is the worst teacher?
   – Pleasure

3. What is the rarest ability?
   – Ability to give

4. What is the best ability?
   – Ability to forgive

5. What is the most difficult ability?
   – Ability to keep silent

6. What is the most important ability?
   – Ability to ask

7. What is the most necessary ability?
   – Ability to listen

8. What is the most dangerous battle?
   – Fanaticism

9. What is most unpleasant habit?
   – Liking to quarrel

10. What is most harmful habit?
    – Talking too much

11. Who is the strongest person?
    – Anyone who’s able to understand the Truth

12. Who is the weakest person?
    – Anyone who feels stronger

13. Who is the most intelligent person?
    – Anyone who follows his/her heart

14. What affection is the most dangerous?
    – Attachment to the physical body

15. Who is the poorest?
    – Anyone who loves money the most

16. Who is closest to God?
    – The merciful

17. Who is the weakest?
    – Anyone who conquers others

18. Who is the strongest?
    – Anyone who conquers himself

19. How to fight with problems?
    – With joy

20. And how to fight with suffering?
    – With patience

21. What is the sign of a healthy soul?
    – Faith

22. What is the sign of a sick soul?
    – Despair

23. What are the signs of wrong actions?
    – Irritation and frustration

24. What are the signs of good deeds?
    – Peace of mind and soul

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English translation of original questions in Romanian done by Chris Banescu. Special attention taken in order to preserve the Orthodox Christian ethos and proper understanding.