Begin to recognize yourself, to love and possess yourself, to be kind to yourself, and you will be happy. If you desire to know yourself and to possess yourself, go into yourself, and do not search for yourself outside. Distinguish between what is around you, what belongs to you, and your self. The world surrounds you, your body belongs to you, and you yourself are within, made to the image and likeness of God. Return then, transgressor, to your heart, within, where you are truly yourself. Outwardly you are an animal, fashioned as the world is fashioned, and that is why man is called a miniature world. But inwardly you are made in the image of God and so are capable of being deified.
Isaac of Stella
