1. A careless brother said to Abbot Antony, "Pray for me."
The old man made answer: I shall not pity thee, nor will the Highest, unless thou hast pity on thyself, and makest prayer to God.
2. Abbot Arsenius used to say: I have often had to repent of speaking; never of keeping silence.
3. Abbot Theodore said: If God impute to us our negligences when we pray, and our distractions' when we sing, we cannot be saved.
4. Abbot Pastor said: One man is at rest and prays; another is sick and gives thanks; a third ministers cheerfully to them both.
They are three; but their work and their merit is one.
5. A brother said to Abbot Sisoi: "What must I do to keep my heart?"
The old man made answer: Look to your tongue first, for it is nearest to the door.
6. Abbot Abraham said: Passions live even in the saints here below; but they are chained.