Do not forget yourself in looking upon the beauty of the human face, but look upon the soul; do not look upon the men’s garment (the body being his temporary garment), but look upon him who is clothed in it.

Do not admire the magnificence of the mansion, but look upon the dweller who lives in it and what he is – otherwise, you will offend the image of God in the man, will dishonor the King by worshiping His servant and not rendering unto Him even the least of  the honor due to Him.

Also – do not look upon the beauty of the printing of a book, but look upon the spirit of the book; otherwise you will depreciate the spirit and exalt the flesh; for the letters are flesh, and the contents of the book is the spirit.

Do not be allured by the melodious sounds of an instrument or a voice, but by their effect upon the soul, or by the words of the song, consider what their spirit is: if the sounds produce upon your soul tranquil, chaste, holy feelings, then listen to them and feed your soul with them; whilst, if they give rise in your soul to passions, then leave off listening to them, and throw aside both the flesh and the spirit of the music.

                                                                                                                    St.John of Kronstadt