Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

proverbs24_16

Do all in your power not to fall, for the strong athlete should not fall. But if you do fall, get up again at once and continue the contest. Even if you fall a thousand times because of the withdrawal of God's grace, rise up again each time, and keep on doing this until the day of your death. For it is written, 'If a righteous man falls down seven times' - that is, repeatedly throughout his life - 'seven times shall he rise again' [Prov. 24:16]. John of Karpathos quoted in Repentance and Confession in the OrthodoxChurch by Fr. John Chryssavgis