When the demons see that we scorn the things of this world in order not to hate men on account of such things, and so to fall away from love, then they incite slanders against us. In this way they hope that, unable to contain our resentment, we will be provoked into hating those who slander us.
St. Maximos the Confessor
Fourth Century on Love no. 87, The Philokalia Vol. 2 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 111, 4th Century
Pharoah entreated saying: 'May God take away from me this death' (Exod. 10:17), and he was heard. Similarly, when the demons asked the Lord not to cast them into the abyss, their request was granted (cf. Luke 8:31). How much more, then, will a Christian be heard when he prays to be delivered from spiritual death?
St. John of Karpathos
Texts for the Monks in India no. 69, Philokalia Vol. 1 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pgs. 314-315
Someone who works is attacked and afflicted by but a single demon, while some who does not work is taken prisoner by a thousand evil spirits.
St. John Cassian
On the Eight Vices, The Philokalia Vol. 1 pg 90, 5th century
Shaking a stick at dogs provokes their fury; forcing oneself to pray in purity provokes the fury of the demons.
Ilias the Presbyter
Gnomic Anthology IV no. 74; Philokalia Vol. 3 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 57
There are three things that impel us towards evil: passions, demons and sinfulness of intention. Passions impel us when, for example, we desire something beyond what is reasonable, such as food which is unnecessary or untimely, or a woman who is not our wife or for a purpose other than procreation, or else when we are excessively angered or irritated by, for instance, someone who has dishonoured or injured us. Demons impel us when, for example, they catch us off our guard and suddenly launch a violent attack upon us, stirring up the passions already mentioned and others of a similar nature. We are impelled by sinfulness of intention when, knowing the good, we choose evil instead.
St. Maximos the Confessor
Second Century on Love no. 33, Philokalia Vol. 2 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 71, 7th century