St. Nephon: Even the animals condemn us

I saw [St. Nephon] teary-eyed. When I asked him the reason, he said to me, "My son, as I was returning from church, I saw someone beating his animal unmercifully, so much so that the wretched thing moaned and groaned, and I wept. Because, if even the animals condemn us, though irrational, what will we sinners do on Judgment Day, when we will give account for each of our actions? Then we will hear: 'You were not merciful; you will not receive mercy!...'"

+St. Nephon, Bishop of Cyprus, from Stories, Sermons, and Prayers of St. Nephon: An Ascetic Bishop, Fervent Entreaty