On Not Judging One’s Neighbor

One must not judge anyone, even if one sees with one’s own eyes another sinning or persisting in transgression of God’s commandments, according to the word of God: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged” (Matt. 7:1), and again: “Who are you to pass judgment on someone else’s servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4).

It is far better always to call to mind these apostolic words: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

For it is not known how long we can remain in virtue, as the Prophet, who had learned this by experience, says: “As for me, I said in my prosperity, ‘I shall never be moved’… You hid Your face, and I was dismayed” (Ps. 29:7–8).