ANCIENT
WISDOM OF THE DESERT - LOVERS OF TRUTH
The essence of philosophy lies in the fact that it imparts to man the
remembrance of death - Basil the
Great + 4th century
The mind is first of all in wonder when it reflects
on God's universal infinity and that inaccessible and greatly desired
ocean. Next it is amazed at how from nothing He has brought into
existence everything that is. But just as 'of His greatness there is no
end', so is his wisdom unsearchable. - Monk Maximus +7th century
Very many wish to be vouchsafed the Kingdom without
labors, without struggles, without sweat; but this is impossible - St. Macarius of Egypt
If you love the glories of men, and desire to be
worshipped, and seek comfort, you are going off the path. You must be
crucified with the Crucified One, suffer with Him that suffered, that
you may be glorified with Him that is glorified. - St. Macarius of Egypt
Why do men learn through pain and suffering, and not
through pleasure and happiness? Very simply, because pleasure and
happiness accustom one to satisfaction with the things given in this
world, whereas pain and suffering drive one to seek a more profound
happiness beyond the limitations of this world. - Fr. Seraphim Rose
During times of affliction do not seek human
consolation so that God may console you. - Elder Joseph the Hesychast
One cannot hide anywhere from temptations except in
the depths of humility. - Elder
Macarius of Optina
Zeal for work is, in fact, a measuring stick of
spiritual advancement. Those striving to follow Christ measure the
condition of their heart and their spiritual advancement in patience
and humility by their zeal for work. If one has zeal for work, there is
hope that you can acquire understanding of the other ABC's of spiritual
life. Without love of labor one will never enter into the spiritual
struggle nor understand the most elementary principles of spiritual
combat. - St. John Cassian
The shortest path to Christ is to bear one another's
burdens. - Elder Ambrose of Optina
Love towards one another without God cannot be love.
And love towards God without loving others cannot be love. - St. Theophan
A Christian carries his cross by being thankful and
rejoicing in all sufferings. - The
Arena
The devil hath no other weapon so strong as despair.
- Return to Confession
Christian wisdom is in preserving faith in the Lord
during times of temptation. - Elder
Ambrose of Optina
On our neighbor depends life and death of our soul.
- The Arena
When we offend our neighbor it is as if we are
offending Christ Himself. - The
Arena
It's not our cares in life that are our problem, but
how we relate to them. The sin is when we use the cares to fill our
emptiness that comes from lack of love of God. - a paraphrase of St. Theophan
It is impossible to build a house starting from the
top. So also it is with the soul. Love for God is the roof of the
house; therefore we must start with love for our neighbor and then
build up to love for God. - The Arena
Prayer rules and fasting without keeping the
commandments will not save us. - Elder
Ambrose of Optina
Suffering is Christ's greatest gift. - The Arena
If we cannot love our brother whom we have not seen,
how can we love God whom we have not seen? - Counsels from the Holy Mountain (Elder
Joseph the Hesychast?)
I don't believe in the salvation of one who doesn't
work for the salvation of others. - St.
John Chrysostom
If you always remember the Lord's Passion, you will
unmurmuringly forbear everything. - St.
Dimitri of Rostov
Who are you hoping to win? the world or your soul? -
The Arena
True joy is quiet and constant. - Way of the Asetics
Master your senses and protect them from corrosion
as a warrior protects his weapons. - St.
Ephraim the Syrian
Consciousness of one's weakness, self-reproach, and
patience are the three steps to humility. - Elder Ambrose
Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we
not accept adversity? - Job, chapter
2 verse 10
Perfect humility of wisdom consists of bearing
reproaches and dishonor and the rest which our Teacher Jesus
suffered.... A sign of the fact that a man has touched on perfect
prayer is the fact that he is no longer disturbed, even though the
whole world might offend him. - Saints
Barsunuphius and John
When we pray and God delays in hearing (our prayer),
He does this for our benefit, so as to teach us longsuffering;
wherefore we need not become downcast, saying: "We prayed, and were not
heard." God knows what is profitable for a man. Rejoice in the Lord,
leave off all your cares, and pray for me, O beloved brother, one in
spirit (with me). - Saints
Barsunuphius and John