Mark the Ascetic - On the Spiritual Law 147-152

147. Without remembrance of God, there can be no true knowledge but only that which is false.
148. Deeper spiritual knowledge helps the hard-hearted man: for unless he has fear, he refuses to accept the labor of repentance.
149. Unquestioning acceptance of tradition is helpful for a gentle person, for then he will not try God's patience or often fall into sin.
150. Do not rebuke a forceful man for arrogance, but point out to him the danger of dishonor; if he has any sense he will accept this kind of rebuke.
151. If you hate rebuke, it shows that the passion in which you are involved is due to your own free choice. But if you welcome rebuke, the passion is due to prepossession.
152. Do not listen to talk about other people's sins. For through such listening the form of these sins is imprinted on you.