Some quotes from the Desert Fathers

Abba Anthony said to Abba Poemen, "This is the great work of man: always to take the blame for his own sins before God and to expect temptation to his last breath."


Abba Anthony said, "Our life and our death is with our neighbor.  If we gain our brother, we have gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ."


Abba Anthony said, Always have the fear of God before your eyes.  Remember him who gives life and death.  Hate the world and all that is in it.  Hate all peace that comes from the flesh.  Renounce this life, so that you may be alive to God."


Abba Arsenius said, "Strive with all your might to bring your interior activity into accordance with God, and you will overcome exterior passions."


Abba Alonius said, "If a man does not say in his heart, in the world there only myself and God, he will not gain peace."


Abba Theodore of Pherme said, "The man who remains standing when he repents, has not kept the commandments."


Abba Theodore of Pherma also said, "If you are temperate, do not judge the fornicator, for you would then transgress the law just as much.  And he who said, 'Do not fornicate' also said 'Do not judge.'"


Abba Matoes said, "The nearer a man draws to God, the more he sees himself a sinner."


Abba Nilus said, "Prayer is the seed of gentleness and the absence of anger."


Abba Nilus said, "Happy is the monk who thinks he is the outcast of all."


Poemen said, "Men speak to perfection but they do precious little about it."


Poemen said, "Teach your mouth to say that which you have in your heart."


Poemen said, "In all our afflictions let us weep in the presence of the goodness of God, until he shows us mercy."


Poemen said, "These three things are the most helpful of all: fear of the Lord; prayer; and doing good to one's neighbor."


Poemen said, "Not understanding what has happened prevents us from going on to something better."


Poemen said, "Do not lay open your conscience to anyone whom you do not trust in your heart."


Abba Pambo said, "If you have a heart, you can be saved."


Abba Sarmatas said, "I prefer a sinful man who knows he has sinned and repents, to a man who has not sinned and considers himself to righteous."


Upsilon said, "He who does not control his tongue when he is angry, will not control his passions either."


All quotes were borrowed from the book: The Sayings of the Desert Fathers by Benedicta Ward