Letter 1504: The spiritual life is a journey with a beginning, a middle, and an end.

To Peter. Many who had stumbled and then renewed the struggle set up trophies of victory over the passions to which they had earlier confessed themselves defeated. If, therefore, you too have often stumbled, acknowledge your defeat and come to your senses.

Πολλοὶ πταίσαντες καὶ ἀναμαχησάμενοι, τρόπαια ἔστησαν κατὰ τῶν παθῶν· ἐφ’ ὧν πρότερον ὁμολο- γήσαντες ἦσαν τὴν ἧτταν. Εἰ τοίνυν καὶ αὐτὸς πολλά- κις ἔπταισας, γνωσίμαχησον.