Why does it happen that a person in his everyday affairs is inclined more towards fear than towards hope, and in relation to his soul he hopes more than he fears? I think it’s because he loves his salvation little, otherwise he would have stayed awake, fearing that death would come to him unexpectedly and take him without repentance to eternal torment. Many Christians, in the words of the righteous Job, drink sin like water (cf. Job 15, 16), because each of them, before sinning, reasons: “I will sin, and then I will confess and repent.” But if he sins and confesses, he no longer thinks about sin, for he says: “I confessed, I repented.” Oh, evil thought, where did the ecu fall from to cover the dry land with flattery? (Sir. 37, 3). O soul-destroying deception and prejudice that burdened the earth with sins, from what abyss did you come? Not from another, of course, like from hell. It is to hell that you need to return, and not deceive Christians anymore... Let us talk in this “Word” about the danger for those who sin fearlessly and do not care to begin true confession and repentance. Source: Contents: Preface to the 1862 edition Preface About the crime of God's commandments, the harmfulness of sin and medicine for the salvation of the soul About the rules of true repentance as a means to heal sinful ulcers About the worthy fruits of repentance and signs of true forgiveness of sins by God A reminder to the repentant sinner Appendix. Do not delay in repentance (Athos leaflets, 1911 “Repentance and Confession”)