He who drives out self-love, the mother of the passions, will with God's help easily rid himself of the rest, such as anger, irritation, rancour and so on. But he who is dominated by self-love is overpowered by the other passions, even against his will. Self-love is the passion of attachment to the body. (Maximos the Confessor)

There is integrity to the teachings of Maximos. He applies a profound and consistent philosophical framework.

But I am concerned the framework may at times clarify beyond the intention of Jesus. If anything, Jesus was comfortable - even delighted - with paradox and pushed his followers to engage creatively with ambiguity.

Pride is a central problem. Yet Jesus taught we ought "love your neighbor as yourself." Love of self in right relationship with love of neighbor and love of God is foundational to the teachings of Jesus.