But forgive me. " The old man said unto him, 44 Come ye and see Abb& Isaiah who eateth 44 food which stinketh in Scete; if thou seekest to eat stinking 44 food, get thee to Egypt. "
261. There was a certain monk who had a brother that lived in the world, and this brother was poor, and whatsoever the monk earned by the labour of his hands he used to give to his brother, but in spite of this the brother became poorer still. Then the monk went to one of the old men and told him the matter, and the old man said unto him, 44 If thou wilt hearken
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" unto me thou wilt not give him any more, but wilt say unto ' ' him, ' My brother, whilst I have anything- to give I give it " i unto thee, but now thou must bring me some of what thou " * earnest by thy labour'; and whatsoever he bringeth unto " thee, that take from him, and where thou knowest there is " a stranger, or a poor old man, give it unto him"; and he en- treated them to offer up prayer on his behalf. Then the monk went and did thus, and when his brother who lived in the world came to him, he spake unto him even as the old man had told him to do; and the brother went to his house with a sad mind. And on the first day he brought [to the monk] as the result of his labour a few garden herbs, and the monk took them and gave them to the old men, and entreated them to pray for him; and he was blessed and departed. And the old man who was in the world returned on another occasion and brought the monk bread and garden herbs, and his brother took them, and did [with them] as he did at first. Then he came a third time, and brought many costly gifts, and wine, and fish, and his brother saw [this] and wondered, and he called the poor and relieved them therewith. And the monk said unto his brother who was in the world, " Peradventure " thou art in need of a little bread, O my brother?" And he said unto him, "Nay, my lord, whilst I took from thee that " which used to enter into my house, I spent everything I had; " but since I ceased to take anything from thee, God hath "blessed me and hath had mercy upon me." Then the monk went and informed the old man everything which had taken place, and the old man said unto him, 4 ' Knowest thou not that " the labour of a monk is fire, and that wheresoever it entereth "it consumeth? But it is beneficial for him to shew mercy from " his own toil, and prayer from the holy men shall be upon " him, and thus he shall be blessed."
But it is beneficial for him to shew mercy from " his own toil, and prayer from the holy men shall be upon " him, and thus he shall be blessed. "
262. On one occasion whilst Abbd Macarius was passing through Egypt with certain other brethren, he heard a child saying to his mother, " My mother, a rich man loveth me, but " I hate him; and a poor man hateth me, and I love him"; and when Abbd Macarius heard [this] he marvelled. And the breth- ren said unto him, " What is the [meaning of] these words, "father?" The old man said unto him, "Verily our Lord is " rich, and He loveth us, and we do not desire to hear Him; " our Enemy, Satan, is poor, and he hateth us, and we love his "hateful things."
263. On one occasion, whilst Abb£ Zechariah was dwelling in Scete, there appeared unto him a vision from God, and he rose up and came to his father, Abb£ Kiridn, and the old man was perfect, and did not take pains to boast of these things.
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And he rose up [and smote him, and said unto him, "They " are of devils"; and when he had thought about the matter a long time, he rose up] and went by night to Abbd Poemen, and informed him about the matter, and how his thoughts were burning in his heart. Then the old man knew that the matter was of God, and he said unto him, " Get thee to such "and such an old man, and whatsoever he saith unto thee " that do." And having departed to that old man, before he could tell him anything, the old man said unto him, "The " vision is of God; but do thou go and be subject unto thy "father."
264. A certain old man from Scete was dwelling in the mountain of Ptlist6n, and there came unto him a man from the palace who had a devil, and he healed him, and the man who had had the devil offered him a bag which was full of gold, but the old man refused to accept it. Now when he saw that he was offended, the old man took the bag itself, which was empty, and he said unto him, " Go [and] distribute the " gold among the poor and the wretched," and he made the bag into a colubium, and wore it; now it was made of hair, and was very stiff, and he wore it for a long time so that he might vex his body.
265. AbbA Longinus asked Abba Lucius three things, say- ing, "I wish to become a stranger"; the old man said unto him, "If thou dost not hold thy tongue, where wilt thou go? "Wilt thou not become a stranger? Hold thy tongue here, "and behold thou art a stranger." And Abbst Longinus said unto him also, "I wish to lead a twofold life"; and the old man said unto him, "If thou dost not bend thy neck like a "hook thou art nothing; purify thy wicked thoughts." Abba Longinus said unto him, "But I wish to flee from men"; and the old man said unto him, "If thou canst not set thyself ' 1 straight first of all with men, thou wilt never be able [to live] "by thyself."
266. A brother asked Abb£ Joseph, saying, "I want to go " out from the monastery, and live a solitary life"; the old man said unto him, "Where thou seest that thou wilt find rest for " thy soul, there dwell." And the brother said unto him, "I "am content to live in the monastery, and I am content to "live alone; what shall I do then?" The old man said unto him, "If thou art "content to live in the monastery, and art " [equally] content to lead a solitary life, do this: Weigh thy " thoughts as it were in a balance, and the thought which out- " balances the other, that fulfil."
267. An old man used to say, "What beast is as mighty as " the lion and yet for the sake of his belly he falleth into the
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"snare, and all his strength is made weakness? in this wise " also shall we fall if we be overcome by our bellies."
268. An old man also said, " When the fathers of Scete were "eating bread and salt they said, 4 We must not afflitffc our- " 'selves overmuch with bread and salt'; and living in this wise " they became valiant in the works of God."
in this wise " also shall we fall if we be overcome by our bellies. "
268. An old man also said, " When the fathers of Scete were "eating bread and salt they said, 4 We must not afflitffc our- " 'selves overmuch with bread and salt'; and living in this wise " they became valiant in the works of God. "
269. Whilst Abbd Sylvanus was living on Mount Sinai brother Zechariah went to the work of the service [i.e., sing- ing and prayer]; and when he had gone the old man said unto him, "Open out the water [courses] and water the garden." Then he went forth straightway, and covered his face with his cloak, and he could see only his feet ; and during the time when he was watering [the garden], a brother came to him, and he perceived what he was doing, and he went in to him, and made an apology, and entreated him, saying, "Tell me, O father, "why thou didst cover thy face with thy cloak and didst in " this manner water the garden?" The old man said unto him, "My son, [I did so] that mine eyes might not look upon the " trees, and that my mind might not be distradled in its work, "and become buried in the trees."
270. They used to say that, [on one occasion], when a cer- tain old man was sitting in his cell, a brother happened to come by night to go in to him ; and when he arrived at the door, he heard his voice raised in a dispute, saying, "It is " sufficient; how long? Get ye gone forthwith." And again he said, "Come, come to me, my friends." And when the brother had gone in to him, he said unto him, "With whom wast thou " speaking, O father?" He said unto him, "I was driving away " my evil thoughts, and calling my good thoughts to me."
271. There was a certain old man who had a disciple who dwelt in the desert, and the old man took a piece of dry wood, and planted it, and he said to his disciple, "Pour a basin of " water over it every day until this piece of wood beareth fruit." Now the fountain of water was so far away from them that a man would set out for it in the evening and return the next morning. And the disciple did as he had been told, and after two or three years that wood became alive, and bore fruit, and the old man took the fruit thereof, and brought it to the church, and said unto the brethren, "Take ye, and eat the fruit of " obedience."
272. A certain brother on one occasion found on the road a piece of wood which had dropped from camels, and he came to the cell of his Rabbd bringing it with him ; and his Rabbi said, "Whence hast thou this piece of wood?" And the brother said unto him, "From the road. "The old man said unto him, " If it be of the things which are taken from the road bring it
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" And the brother said unto him, "From the road. "The old man said unto him, " If it be of the things which are taken from the road bring it
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" inside ; but if not, go and put it in the place wherefrom thou "didst take it."
273. They used to say that Zechariah, the disciple of Abba Sylvanus, took certain brethren, and without [the knowledge of] Abba Sylvanus, they broke through the fence of the gar- den, and enlarged the garden, and then built up the fence again. And when the old man learned this, he took [his cloak], and wrapped himself up therein, and went forth, and he said to the brethren, "Pray ye for me." Now when they saw him, they fell down at his feet, saying, "Tell us, father, what hath hap- "pened to thee"; and he said unto them, "I will neither go " inside [my cell], nor unwrap myself from my cloak until ye " bring the fence back to its former position"; and [when they had done so] straightway the old man went into his cell.
274. They used to say that when the old man Rabba Magatis went forth from his cell, and the thought rose up in his mind that he would depart from the place, he returned not to his cell ; now he possessed nothing whatsoever of the things which are required in this world. But he took pleasure in the work of splitting up the palm leaves which he twisted into ropes, for he performed sufficient labour each day to provide him with the very small amount of food which he needed.
275. A brother asked an old man, saying, "If a certain bro- " ther cometh to me, and saith, * Perform an act of love, and " 'come with me here, or go [with me] to a certain place,' and " I am inconvenienced by the command, what am I to do?" The old man said unto him, "If thou knowest that without " offence thou canst fulfil the commandment, go, and it shall ' ' be accounted unto thee as an acceptable sacrifice ; but if thou " knowest that there will be some offence, thou shalt not go. " And if thou dost go, take good heed to thy soul."
276. A brother asked an old man, saying, " How is it that 1 ' there are at this present men who labour, but who do not " receive grace as the early fathers did?" The old man said unto him, " Formerly love existed, and one brother was raised " up by the other; but now love hath grown cold, and we each " drag the other down, and in consequence we do not receive "grace."
" The old man said unto him, " Formerly love existed, and one brother was raised " up by the other; but now love hath grown cold, and we each " drag the other down, and in consequence we do not receive "grace. "
277. They used to say that when Abba Theodore dwelt in Scete, a devil came and wanted to go into him, and the old man perceived that he wanted to go into [his cell], but he kept him fettered outside. Then another devil came to go in, and the old man fettered him also, and a third devil also came, and finding the other two fettered by the door, he said unto them, " Why do ye stand outside here?" They said unto him, "He "who dwelleth within will not permit us to go in"; and the
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third devil stirred up strife, and, holding Abb& Theodore in contempt, made so bold as to go in. Now when the old man saw him he fettered him also, and being afraid of the prayers of the old man, they entreated him, saying, "Set us free." And the old man accepted their petition, and released them, saying, " Get ye gone"; and then they departed being ashamed.
278. They used to say that a certain old man had a young man living with him, and that he one day saw him doing something which was not beneficial for him; and he said unto him once, "Thou shalt not do this thing," but the young man hearkened not unto him. Now when the old man saw that he would not hearken unto him, he let him alone, and troubled no more about him; and the young man shut the door of the place where the bread was kept, and departed from the cell, and left the old man without bread for three days, and when he went back, the old man did not say unto him, "Where " hast thou been?" or, "What hast thou been doing outside?" Now the young man treated the old man in this fashion, like a beast. Then afterwards, when one of the old man's neigh- bours perceived the delay of the young man, he boiled a little food, and let it down to the old man from the wall, and made him eat it; and when, by chance, his neighbour said unto him, " The young man tarrieth a long time," the old man said unto him, "He hath not tarried, but when he is disengaged he will "come."
Then afterwards, when one of the old man's neigh- bours perceived the delay of the young man, he boiled a little food, and let it down to the old man from the wall, and made him eat it; and when, by chance, his neighbour said unto him, " The young man tarrieth a long time," the old man said unto him, "He hath not tarried, but when he is disengaged he will "come. "
279. A certain brother made a second key and opened the cell of one of the old men and took his money out of the cup- board, and the old man wrote on a piece of paper, saying, " Do me an aft of love and leave me one half of my money, " for I have need of it for my necessities"; and he divided the money (or oboli) into two parts, and laid the paper upon them. And the brother who stole the money came as usual, and he tore up the paper and took all the money. Now two years later that brother was forced to die, but his soul was not per- mitted to go forth from him, and then he called the old man, and made entreaty unto him, saying, "Father, pray on my "behalf; it was I who took thy money." Then the old man said unto him, "Why didst thou not confess this before the " light became black to thee?" And the old man prayed and set free the spirit of that brother, and he sold his Book of the Gospel and made a memorial for him.
280. A certain man used to relate that an old man from Scete went up to the Thebai'd to dwell there, and according to the custom with those who are from Scete he made bread sufficient for his wants for several days. And behold, the men of the Thebaid came to him, saying, "How is it that thou
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"dost not keep the word of the Gospel which commanded " men not to care for the morrow?" The old man said unto them, " What is your custom?" And they said unto him, " We " work day by day with our hands, and we sell [what we " makej, and buy food for ourselves in the market." The old man said unto them, "My market is my cell, and whensoever " I have need I lay down the work of my hands, and take up "food for myself."
281. An old man used to say, "Discretion is the most ex- pedient thing of all."
282. They used to say that certain men came to plead a case for judgement before Abbd Ammonius, and the old man paid no attention to them, but behaved as if he did not hear them; and behold, a woman said unto her companion, "This old " man hath no stability." And the old man heard her speaking thus to her companion, and he called her, and said unto her, " How many labours have I performed in the desert so that "I might acquire this instability! Yet, through thee, I have "destroyed this day."
" And the old man heard her speaking thus to her companion, and he called her, and said unto her, " How many labours have I performed in the desert so that "I might acquire this instability! Yet, through thee, I have "destroyed this day. "
283. An old man used to say, "Do not eat before thou art "hungry, and do not lie down before thou art sleepy, and do "not speak before thou art questioned."
284. A brother asked an old man, saying, "Do I eat too many "garden herbs?" The old man said unto him, "It will not " benefit thee [to do so], but eat bread and a few vegetables, " and thou shalt not go to thy kinsfolk for the sake of things "[to eat]."
285. An old man used to say, "It is meet that a monk should "be like the Cherub — all eyes."
286. An old man used to say, "For a man to attempt to " teach his neighbour, when he hath not been required [so to " do], is the same as offering him a rebuke."
287. Abbd Poemen used to say, "Why doth a man distress " himself to build the house of others, andtooverthrowhis own?"
288. He also used to say, "Why is it necessary for a man to " enter by cunning, and not to learn [how to do so] properly?"
289. He also used to say, "Everything which is immoderate " is from the devils."
290. The old men used to say, "God demandeth nothing "from Christians except that they shall hearken untp the Di- "vine Scriptures, and shall carry into effect the things which " are said in them, and shall be obedient unto their governors " and the orthodox fathers."
291. An old man used to say, "Whensoever I have been " able to overtake my soul when I have transgressed, I never " stumbled a second time."
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292. An old man used to say, " The man who setteth death " before his eyes at all times easily overcometh dejection and " littleness of soul."
293. An old man used to say, "Take heed, with all thy " might, not to do anything which deserveth blame, and do "not take pleasure in making thyself acceptable."
294. Abbd Theodore used to say, "There is no spiritual ex- cellence so sublime [as that which consisteth in] not despis- " ing a man and treating him with contempt."
295. An old man was asked, "How, and by what means can "the soul acquire humility?" And he made answer, saying, " By examining and enquiring into its own wickednesses only. "
296. Abbd Poemen used to say, "All the spiritual excellences "have entered into this monastery, with the exception of the "one without which in labour [no] man standeth"; and they asked him, saying, "Which spiritual excellence is that?" and he said, "That which maketh a man blame and despise him- "self."
" And he made answer, saying, " By examining and enquiring into its own wickednesses only. "
296. Abbd Poemen used to say, "All the spiritual excellences "have entered into this monastery, with the exception of the "one without which in labour [no] man standeth"; and they asked him, saying, "Which spiritual excellence is that? " and he said, "That which maketh a man blame and despise him- "self. "
297. The disciple of a certain old man and Rabbd was at- tacked by the lust for fornication, and he went into the world, and betrothed to himself a wife; and the old man, being greatly grieved, prayed to God, and said, "O Lord Jesus " Christ, do not Thou permit Thy servant to be defiled." And it came to pass that when he was shut up with the bride in the bedchamber he yielded up his spirit, and he was not polluted with the union of marriage.
298. An old man used to say: — "If temptation come upon a "man, and attack him on all sides to such a degree that his " mind falleth into despair, and he murmureth, all his friends "will turn away their faces from him as if by reason of the "temptation"; and he related the following story (in illustra- tion of this statement) and said: " There was a monk in a cell, "and temptation came upon him, and all his friends and be- " loved ones who met him refused even to salute him, and not "one of them would allow him to enter into his cell. If he " lacked provisions, and wanted a man to lend him some, none "would lend him, and he was compelled by reason of his tri- "bulation to go and work in the harvest field; and when he " came back he did not find any bread in his cell. Now it was " the custom among the holy men that every man who went " to work in the harvest field should on his return eat in the " church, but when that brother came on the Sabbath no man " took him and gave him refreshment in the usual way, and "he went to his cell, and he gave thanks unto God without "complaining. Now when God saw his patient endurance, He
* abated the temptation in him, and straightway a man came
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" and knocked at his door; and he had with him a camel car- 44 rying bread which had been sent to him from Egypt; then he " began to smite himself and to weep, saying, 4 I am not " 'worthy [of this].' And the temptation having departed, all " the fathers took him, and gave him refreshment, and they * 4 persuaded him to let them take him to their cells, and through "his patient endurance he found great benefit."
' And the temptation having departed, all " the fathers took him, and gave him refreshment, and they * 4 persuaded him to let them take him to their cells, and through "his patient endurance he found great benefit. "
299. On one occasion certain Greeks came to give gifts of grace in the city of 'EstarkmA, and they took with them the stewards of the city that they might show them what it was necessary for them to give them, and they took them to a cer- tain brother who had elephantiasis, but he refused to accept anything, saying, 44 Behold, I have these few palm leaves, I " will work at them, and weave ropes, and will eat bread." Then they carried them to a certain widow, and they knocked at the door, and her daughter answered from inside, for she was naked, now her mother had gone out to work, for she was washing clothes and lived by her labour. And when they saw that the maiden was naked, they gave her clothes and money, but she refused to accept them, saying, 44 My mother will come, 44 and say unto me, 4 My daughter, God hath willed [it], and I 44 'have found some work to-day, and again we have sufficient 4 4 4 food for this day. ' " Then when the mother came, she refused [to accept the apparel and money], and said unto them, "Oye 44 men, I have One Whoprovideth forme, that is, God, and ye 44 seek to take away from me this day Him that hath provided 44 for me all my days"; and when they saw her faith they glori- fied God.
300. A certain man offered gold to one of the aged fathers, saying, 44 Take [it] and let it be to thee for expenses, because 44 thou hast grown old"; now the old man was an Arian, and he answered and said unto him that had given [the gold] to him, 4 4 Hast thou come to take away from me Him that hath reared 44 me for sixty years? For it is sixty years since I have been 44 in this sickness, and I have wanted for nothing because God 44 fed me and provided for me"; and he would not consent to accept anything.
301. One ofthefathers told the following story, saying, 44 1 was 4 4 in the room for receiving strangers, and some poor folk came 44 to receive charity at eventide on the Sabbath, and there was 4 4 among them only one man who had a mat to lie upon 44 when they lay down; and he threw it down under him, and 4 4 then reclined upon it. Now it was exceedingly cold, and 4 4 he took a half of the mat from under him and covered him- 44 self over therewith, and he reclined on the other half. And 4 4 1 went out during the night and heard him complaining about
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Now it was exceedingly cold, and 4 4 he took a half of the mat from under him and covered him- 44 self over therewith, and he reclined on the other half. And 4 4 1 went out during the night and heard him complaining about
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" the cold, and then the man turned to himself and said, c I " 'give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, because how many are the " 'rich men, and the owners of possessions who are at this " 'present moment lying in irons, and in afflictions, and in " 'prisons, and there are, moreover, others whose feet have " ' been put in the stocks, who are unable to turn round to any " ' side, whilst I, like a king, can spread out my feet and lie " 'down, and besides this, I can go whithersoever I please.' " And when he had said these things, now I was standing up " listening to him, I went in and told them to the brethren, " and they benefited by the words of that poor man."
302. An old man used to say, " Let me think first, and pray " next, and then let us begin the work, and afterwards let us " boast ourselves in God."
303. A certain brother asked an old man, saying, " Why is " it that I feel disgusted when sitting in my cell, and why am " 1 sluggish in respect of works of spiritual excellence?" And the old man answered and said unto him, " Because thou dost "not keep in mind the rest which those who labour expedt, "and the torments which are laid up for the lazy. For if, in " very truth, thou wert seeing these things, thou wouldst be " watchful and strenuous in thy labour."
304. An old man used to say, " The man who maketh a boast "of the Name of God, and who doeth not the works which " are suitable to that Name, is like unto a poor man who, " when a feast cometh, borroweth some clothes and putteth "them on, and who, when the feast hath passed, strippeth "them off himself because they are not his own, and giveth " them to their owners."
305. Abbd Ammon used to say concerning AbbA Paphnu- tius the Simple, who was from Scete, " When I went down "there I was a young man, and he would not allow me to " dwell there, saying, ' In my days I will not permit the faces " ' of young men, which resemble those of women, to dwell in " ' Scete, because of the war of the Enemy against the holy
men.
Abbd Ammon used to say concerning AbbA Paphnu- tius the Simple, who was from Scete, " When I went down "there I was a young man, and he would not allow me to " dwell there, saying, ' In my days I will not permit the faces " ' of young men, which resemble those of women, to dwell in " ' Scete, because of the war of the Enemy against the holy
men.
306. AbbA Poemen {or Ammon) used to say, " If Nuzarddn " (Nebuzaradan), the chief of the warriors, had never come to " the land of Judea, he would never have burnt down the tem- " pie of God which was in Jerusalem with fire"; [now the mean- ing] of these words is, that if the pleasures of the lust of the belly had never entered in on the soul the mind would never have been vanquished in the war of the Adversary.
307. A certain man asked Abbd Sisoes, saying, " Hast thou "not even yet arrived at the measure of Abbd Anthony, our " father?" And the old man answered and said, " If I had even
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" one thought like unto Abbd Anthony, the whole of me would " become like unto fire; but I know one man who, even with " great labour, is able to bear his thoughts."
308. Abbi Abraham asked Abbd Agathon, saying, " How "is it that the devils make war upon me?" And AbbA Aga- thon said unto him, "Do the devils make war upon thee? But " they do not make war against us so fiercely as we ourselves " do with our own wishes, though they do make war against " us in proportion as our wishes do. Our desires become devils, " and they force us to fulfil them. Now if thou wishest to see " against whom they have made war, [it is] against Moses and "those who resemble him."
309. A brother asked an old man, saying, "In what condi- " tion is it meet for a monk to be?" And he said, " Even as I " myself am, if one may [compare] one man with another."
310. And an old man was also asked, " Why am I afraid " when I go about in the desert?" The old man said unto him, " Because thou art still alive."
311. A brother asked an old man, saying, " Why doth my " spirit go round and round violently?" And he said unto him, " Because thou hast not yet seen the storehouse of life."
312. And he was also asked, "What is it meet for a monk "to do?" And he said, "Let him perform all kinds of good "works in very deed, and let him acquire remoteness from " every evil thing."
313. And he was also asked, "What is a monk's work?" " And he said, "He must possess discretion."
314. An old man said, "Unto every thought that riseth up "in thee say, "Art thou of us, or of our enemies?" And the thought will always make confession unto thee.
315. Abb£ Agathon used to say, "The crown of the monk is "humility."
313. And he was also asked, "What is a monk's work? " " And he said, "He must possess discretion. "
314. An old man said, "Unto every thought that riseth up "in thee say, "Art thou of us, or of our enemies? " And the thought will always make confession unto thee. 315. Abb£ Agathon used to say, "The crown of the monk is "humility. "
316. Abbd Isidore said, ' * When I was a youth and was living "in a cell, I possessed not the capacity for the service [of " prayer and praise], for by night and by day there was service "to me."
317. He also said, "For forty years, I neither leaned upon " anything nor lay down."
318. He also said, "I was standing forty nights, and did "not lie down."
319. He also said, "For twenty years I continued to fight " against one thought — that I might see all men of one mind."
320. An old man was asked, "Why is it that whilst I am "sitting in my cell my heart wandereth about?" The old man said to his questioner, "Because thine external lusts feel the " motions which are in hearing, and in breathing, and in
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" taste, for from these, if it be possible for a man, there is "pure labour, and he should make them to be healthy and " satisfied within."
321. An old man was asked, "How is it possible for a man "to live so that he may be seemly in God's sight?" and he said to him, "[It is possible if a man have an] equable "[mind]."
322. An old man also said, "Our labour is wood which "burneth away."
323. Abb& Benjamin said unto his disciples, "Do these things "and ye shall be able to live. Rejoice at all times, and pray "without ceasing, and give thanks for everything.
324. He also said, "Abstinence in respedl of the soul con- "sisteth in making straight its ways and habits, and courses " of aftion, and in cutting off the passions of the soul."
325. He also said, "Travel in the path of the kingdom, and "count the miles, and thy spirit shall not be sad in thee.
326. An old man said, * i Thou must be in the same state of fear " as a man who is going to endure tortures."
327. An old man used to say, "A man shall not trouble, but "let him like a life of silent contemplation, and hide himself, " for these meditations (?) are the begetters of purity."
328. An old man used to say also, "Thou shalt desire to be- " come a eunuch, for this will help thee."
329. He also said, "The giving of thanks maketh entreaty " on behalf of the feeble before God."
330. An old man used to say, "I do not as yet carry all my " body so that I may fulfil all my desire."
331. Abb& Sisoes said, "Exile consisteth in a man living a "silent and solitary life."
329. He also said, "The giving of thanks maketh entreaty " on behalf of the feeble before God. "
330. An old man used to say, "I do not as yet carry all my " body so that I may fulfil all my desire. "
331. Abb& Sisoes said, "Exile consisteth in a man living a "silent and solitary life. "
332. One of the fathers said, "I once asked Abbk Sisoes and " besought him to speak a word of life to me, and the old man "answered and said, He who taketh care to guard himself " against esteeming himself, and against comparing himself " [with other men] in every work of understanding (<?rdiscretion), " is he who fulfilleth the Book."
333. And I asked him also, "In what doth the power of exile " consist?" And he said unto me, " Wheresoever thou dwellest " hold thy peace; and about whatsoever thou seest, be it good " or be it evil, say nothing; and if thou hearest anything from " a man which befitteth not the upright conduct of the ascetic " life, say, 'This concerneth me not; I have to do with myself, " 'and myself only.' This is [the power of] exile."
334. One of the old men said, " The love of the work of the "hands is the ruin of the soul; but the stablishment thereof is " rest and peace in God."
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335. Abhk Theodore said, " If I did not cut off my soul from 4 1 the friends of this world they would not let me be a monk."
336. He also said, 4 4 If we seek God He will reveal Himself " unto us, and if we lay hold upon Him He will protect us."
337. On one occasion certain of the old men were sitting and talking about the thoughts, and one of them said, "They " would not appear to be a great matter if a man were to see i 4 his thoughts from a distance. "
338. Another [old man] said, " I have never allowed error to " have dominion over me even for an hour."
339. Abba" Poemen said, " As long as the food which is being " boiled is on the fire the flies will not approach it, but as soon 11 as it is taken off they cluster round it"; the meaning of this is that as long as our hearts are fervent in the spirit impure thoughts will not approach us, but that if we are negligent and make ourselves to be remote from the converse (or occupa- tion) of the spirit they will then gain dominion over us.
340. An old man used to say, " It is necessary to make en- ' i quiries concerning spiritual works, for through them we ad- " vance in excellence; for it is great labour for us to go forth " from the body in such wise that we do not perform the works "of the body."
341. An old man used to say also, " Affliction and poverty " are the instruments wherewith a monk cultivateth his handi- work."
341. An old man used to say also, " Affliction and poverty " are the instruments wherewith a monk cultivateth his handi- work. "
342. Certain of the old men used to say, " Whosoever hath " not the instruments of the craft of labour cannot remain long "in his cell, whether they be the instruments of the craft of the " labour of spiritual beings, wherewith he findeth comfort from " God in his inner man in the spirit, or the instruments of " the craft of human labour. He who possesseth not the one " or the other class of instruments cannot remain very long in "his cell."
343. The spirit of God rested upon Abbd John because of the fear in which he held God; for it is the fear of God which teacheth a man all good works.
344. Abb£ Poemen used to say, " Abba* Paphnutius was ex- " ceedingly great and mighty, and he ran at all times to minister " unto shortcoming."
345. An old man was asked by a brother, " How should a " monk dwell in his cell?" The old man said unto him, " Let " him dwell by himself, so that his thoughts may be with God."
346. And a brother also asked him, saying, " What shall I " do, for when I am by myself I am greatly afflicted by the " multitude of evil thoughts of all kinds which crowd upon me, " and by the weight of the disgust which troubleth me?" The
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old man said unto him, " Give thy soul work, that is to say, " have a care to pray and have love towards God, and straight- " way the spirit of Satan will flee from thee."
347. An old man used to say also, 4 'If thou doest something " which is good, and thou art praised for it, destroy it; guard " thyself against the thoughts which praise thee, and which " hold thy neighbour in contempt."
348. Abba Isidore's thoughts praised him, saying, 4 'There " is none like unto thee among the fathers"; and he said, unto them, " Am I like Anthony or Abbd Agathon?" And the devils said unto him, "After all the labours which thou hast per- formed thou wilt go to torment"; and he said unto them, " And ye also will be below me. For a thief through one word 44 inherited the kingdom." And Judas also, who wrought mighty deeds with the Apostles, in one night lost all his labour, and he went down from heaven to Sheol; therefore let not him that conducteth himself uprightly boast himself. For all those who have been over confident about themselves have fallen among the devils of greed. Retard thou then [thy desire], saying, "Thou hast had enough; wait a little," and eat thou tem- perately and slowly. For he who hasteth in his eating is like unto him that seeketh to eat much.
349. An old man saw sitting among the brethren a brother who pretended not to be of them, and he said unto him, "How "canst thou walk in a country which is not thine?"
350. They used to say that Abba* Poemen never wished to magnify his word over that of any old man, but in everything he praised his and belittled his own.
351. There was a certain monk who led a life which was full of severe ascetic labours, and the Devil laid many plans and schemes to make him abate them, and to make him to de- sist therefrom; but the monk would not give him a hearing in any way whatsoever, but, on the contrary, he played the man more strenuously than ever, and resisted his wiles and crafts. Now when the Devil had spent much time in this strife against him, another devil came to help him; and having enquired of his companion what manner of war and battle he should set in array against him, and how it was that the holy man was abating and making an end of all the things which he was making [against him], the accursed devil who had come last, answered and said by the counsel of the Evil One, "Do not " lift up thyself below him, but raise up thyself above him, and " in this way thou shalt be able to be stronger than he."
352. An old man asked Abb£ Poemen, saying, "What shall " I do, father, with my son Isaac, who hearkeneth unto me " with pleasure?" Abbi Poemen said unto him, "If thou wish-
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" est to be of benefit to him, shew him [an example] by deeds "and not by words, lest through observing words only he "be found useless; for if thou wilt shew him by deeds, the " deeds themselves will abide with him, and he will profit."
353. Certain of the fathers said to AbbA Macarius the Egyp- tian, "Whether thou eatest or whether thou fastest, thy body "hath already dried up"; and the old man said unto them, "A piece of wood which hath been burned and consumed by " the fire burneth wholly, and thus also the heart of a man, if " he be purified by the fear of God, consumeth the lusts from " his flesh, and drieth up his bones."
354. Abba Theodore used to say, "If God imputeth to us 4 ' carelessness in prayer, and the snare in [His] service wherein " we have been captured, we shall not be able to stand."
355. They used to say of one of the old men that he had passed twenty years in the church, and had never lifted his eyes and seen the roof thereof.
"
354. Abba Theodore used to say, "If God imputeth to us 4 ' carelessness in prayer, and the snare in [His] service wherein " we have been captured, we shall not be able to stand. "
355. They used to say of one of the old men that he had passed twenty years in the church, and had never lifted his eyes and seen the roof thereof.
356. There was a certain monk whose name was Paul, and his rule of life and condudt was such that he did not approach the excessive labour of the work of the hands, nor any traffick- ing whatsoever, except such as was sufficient to provide for his small amount of daily food; but he performed one sort of work of excellence, that is, he prayed continually and ceased not, and he laid down the rule for himself that he should pray three hundred prayers each day, and he placed sand in his bosom, and at every prayer which he prayed, he would lay one grain of sand in his hand. Now this man asked Saint Macarius, saying, "Father, I am greatly afflicted"; and the old man pressed him to tell him the cause of his affliction. Then he answered and said, "I have heard about a certain virgin who " hath led an ascetic life for thirty years, and FatherPt6r related "concerning her that every week she went forth and recited "five hundred prayers in the day. Now when I heard these "things I despised myself greatly, for I am not able to recite "more than three hundred prayers." Then the holy man Macarius answered and said unto him, "I have led an ascetic " life for sixty years, and I make fifty prayers a day, and I " work sufficiently to provide myself with food, and I receive " the brethren who come to me, and I say unto them what it " is seemly to say, and I pay my debts, and my mind doth not " condemn me as one who hath treated [God] lightly; but thou " who makest three hundred prayers in the day, art thou con- demned by thy thoughts? Perchance thou dost not offer " them with purity [of heart], or thou art able to do more, and "dost not do it!"
357. I used to know a certain holy man whose name was
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Aurelius, and he laboured so hard that he might have been thought to be a shadow because of his disposition to work; during the Forty Days' Fast he used to pass whole weeks [without eating], and in respedl of the other days he would eat only once every two or three days.
358. An old man was asked [by a brother], "If I see the sin " of my brother am I to despise him?" And the old man said, "If we hide [the fault] of our brother God will also hide our " [faults]; and if we expose our brother's [faults], God will also "expose ours."
358. An old man was asked [by a brother], "If I see the sin " of my brother am I to despise him? " And the old man said, "If we hide [the fault] of our brother God will also hide our " [faults]; and if we expose our brother's [faults], God will also "expose ours. "
359. An old man was wont to say, * ' There was a brother whose "name was Timothy, and he used to lead a life of silent con- templation in a religious house; and a temptation came " upon one of the brethren of that house, and the head of the "house asked Timothy, saying, 'What shall I do to this " 'brother?' Timothy said unto him, 'Expel him'; and when " he had expelled him, the temptation of that brother was sent "upon Timothy, and he cried out to God, saying, 'I have " 'sinned, O my Lord, have mercy upon me.' And he passed " the whole night in a grave of dead men, crying out and say- " ing, 'I have sinned, O my Lord, forgive me,' and the temp- " tation was upon him until he was greatly exhausted. And a " voice came to him, saying, 'Timothy, do not imagine that " 'these things have happened unto thee for any other reason " 'than because thou didst offend thy neighbour in the time of " 'his trial.'"
360. A brother asked an old man, saying, "How shall I be " able to avoid despising my brother?" The old man said unto him, "We and our neighbour are two faces. Now if we pro- " vide the mirror of prayer we shall see the beam in our own "eye, and we shall also see in the mirror the face of our "brother polished and pure."
361. A brother asked an old man and said, "What shall I "do? For there is no feeling in my soul, and I have no fear of " God." The old man said unto him, "Seek thou out a man " whofeareth God, and then cling closely to him, and from " him thou shalt learn to fear God."
362. Abba Poemen said that Abbd Athanasius used to say, " Unless a man possess good works before God giveth him a "gift because of himself, it is well known that no one can be " made perfect through the weariness which cometh to him ' through himself; but if he reveal [it] to his neighbour, he will ' then receive the gift because of his neighbour, and be gratified."
363. A brother asked an old man, saying, "Shew me a word 'whereby I may live." The old man said unto him, "Work ' with thy hands with all thy power, and give alms."
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364. They used to say that Abba Copres attained to such a measure [of perfection] that even when he was sick and wanted something, he would cut off his desire from that which his soul asked him [to give it]; and he would give thanks unto God and endure his sickness with joy and without complaint.
"
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364. They used to say that Abba Copres attained to such a measure [of perfection] that even when he was sick and wanted something, he would cut off his desire from that which his soul asked him [to give it]; and he would give thanks unto God and endure his sickness with joy and without complaint.
365. A brother asked Abba Poemen, ' ' What is the meaning " of these words which the Prophet spake, 'My heart shall re- " 'joice in those that fear Thy name?" (Psalm xxxiii, 21.) And the old man answered and said, "The Holy Spirit spake this " word to man even unto death, and [unto] to-day also."
366. An old man also said, " If a man were to make new " heavens and new earth he would not be able to be free from ' ' care, because the wickedness of the devil is hidden behind " them; but for a man to have no care either for his raiment or "his food is possible."
367. A [brother] also asked an old man, "What shall I do " in respect of that which I love, but which is not profitable to "me?" The old man said unto him, "Approach it not, and "touch it not, and it will of its own accord become an alien " thing unto thee. For David the Prophet wrote unto Joab the " captain of the host, and said unto him, 1 Hold fast on the war, " 'and fight mightily against the city until thou dost subdue it* " (2 Samuel xi, 25). Now in this case the city is enmity."
368. Anthony said, " The greatest might of a man is to bring " upon his soul his transgression at all times before God, and " he must expect temptation until the end."
369. An old man used to say, "This is the rule of conduct " which God gave to Israel, that he should remove himself from " that which is outside nature, that is to say, anger, and wrath* "and envy, and hatred, and evil-speaking, and a man must "not judge his neighbour, together with all the other com- " mandments of the olden time."
370. On one occasion certain of the brethren came to Abba Sisoes in order that they might hear some profitable words, and when theyhadspoken much with him, he said nothing unto them about whatsoever they had said, but only, ' ' Forgive me. " Then they saw that he was plaiting palm leaves, and they said unto Abraham his disciple, "What are ye doing with these " palm-leaf ropes and mats?" And he said unto them, "We send " them out here and there. " Now when the old man heard this he said, "Sisoes eateth here and there." And when they had heard [these things] they were greatly profited, and they de- parted in great joy because they had seen his humility.
371. Abb& Copres said, "Whosoever loveth the gratifying " of his own will more than the gratification of the will of God "hath no fear of God."
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" And when they had heard [these things] they were greatly profited, and they de- parted in great joy because they had seen his humility. 371. Abb& Copres said, "Whosoever loveth the gratifying " of his own will more than the gratification of the will of God "hath no fear of God. "
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372. A brother asked Abba Amdnis, saying, " How ought a " man to act when he wisheth to begin some [kind of] work, " or when he wisheth to go or to come, or to go from one " place to another, so that action may be according to the will " of God, and may be free from the error of devils ?" The old man said unto him, "He must first consider in his mind and " see the motive of that which he wisheth to do, and whence " it cometh, and if it be from God or Satan, or from the man " himself, and then let him do the work [which he contem- " plateth], but let him flee from going and coming, and from " going from one place to another. If he [acteth] not [thus] he " will finally become a laughing-stock for the devils. But after- " wards let him pray and beseech God that that work which " is His he may do, and then let him begin the work, and after- " wards he may boast in God."
373. He also said, "Bear with every man in such a way that " God may also bear with thee."
374. The disciple of Abba Ammon told the following story: — One night the old man came out and found me lying down in the courtyard of the cell, and he stood up above me, and with lamentation and tears said, " Where is the mind of this brother " who can thus lie down (or sleep) without care?"
375. There was a certain priest in Thebais whose name was Dioscurus, and he was the spiritual father of many monks, and at the time when they were about to receive the Holy Mysteries he used to say to the brethren, "Take thought and • ' see lest any man among you have been snared by the phantom " of a woman during the night, and he be so bold as to receive " the Holy Mysteries. Now the emissions which occur as the " result of a phantom are not caused by the desire of a man, " but take place independently thereof, for they happen natur- " ally, and are due to the excess of matter [in the body], and "they do not, therefore, lead [a man] into subjection to sin. "But the phantoms which arise from the desire are the sign "of an evil wish. For it is meet that the monk should be " superior to the law of nature, and that he should not be found " with the smallest impurity of body, but that he should waste
4 the body and humble it, and should not permit any super-
* fluity of matter to be found therein. Work out plans, then, 1 that thou mayest cut off [the superfluity of] matter by means
For it is meet that the monk should be " superior to the law of nature, and that he should not be found " with the smallest impurity of body, but that he should waste
4 the body and humble it, and should not permit any super-
* fluity of matter to be found therein. Work out plans, then, 1 that thou mayest cut off [the superfluity of] matter by means
* of a long period of fasting, for if we do not thus it will in- ' cite the other lusts to come upon us; and it is not meet that ' a monk should be occupied with the lusts which rise up in i him daily. And if we do not thus, in what way are we different 4 from those who live in the world? For we have observed that 1 men of this kind often make themselves to be remote from
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" the desires of their lust, either for purposes of bodily health, " or for other reasons which are not worth mentioning; how 1 ' very much more, then, should it thus be especially a care to " the monk for the sake of the health of his spirit, and of his " soul, and of his body ! "
376. They used to say that AbbA Macarius the Alexandrian at one time dwelt in a cave in the desert, and that beyond his cave was another wherein dwelt a panther; one day when he opened the door of his cave the panther came in and did homage to the blessed man, and she drew nigh and took hold of the corner of his garment, and dragged him along gently and went outside. And the old man answered and said, " What can this " animal want?" And he went with her until she arrived at her cave, and she left him outside, and went in and brought out her young, which were blind, and dropped them at his feet; and when he saw them, he prayed, and spat in their eyes, which were opened straightway, and the panther gave them suck, and took them and went inside. And on the day following the panther came bringing a sheepskin, and she approached and placed it before him; then the old man smiled to himself at the discernment and knowledge which the animal had shewn, and he took the skin and slept upon it, until it was quite worn out.
377. Now on another occasion, when the door of his cell was shut, and the old man was sitting in his courtyard, that panther leaped down into the courtyard from the wall and came to him carrying one of her young in her mouth; and when the old man saw that the little panther was blind, he spat in its eyes, and they were opened, and its mother took it and departed. And one day later she brought to the blessed man a sheepskin, and the blessed woman Melania told me, saying, "I received this same skin from the hands of the old " man as a gift."
And one day later she brought to the blessed man a sheepskin, and the blessed woman Melania told me, saying, "I received this same skin from the hands of the old " man as a gift. "
378. A brother asked an old man, saying, " What shall I do " if when I have given to my brother a little bread or money, " the devils pollute it, as if [it were given to gain] theapproba- " tion of men?" The old man said unto him, " Even though the " adulation of men may come, we must give to our neighbour " that which is necessary," and the old man adduced a proof of this statement, and said, " Two men dwelt in a certain city, " and one sowed [a field] and produced a crop of somewhat "dirty grain, but the other sowed [no field] at all, and pro- "duced no crop of any kind, neither clean nor dirty; in the " time of tribulation which of these two men would live [and " not die] of hunger?" And the brother said unto him, "He " who produced the crop of dirty grain"; and the old man said unto him, "Let us then produce a few [good actions], even
flUuesttons an& answers on tbe ascetic IRule
44 though they be defiled, so that we may not die in the time 44 of famine. "
379. An old man used to say, 44 Dainty meats remove [a "man] from heavenly honours. For satiety, and luxurious liv- ing in this world, and the multitudes of lustful habits shut 44 the door in our face and prevent us from entering into the 4 happiness of God. Consider now the history of the rich man 'and Lazarus; what was it that carried Lazarus into the 'bosom of Abraham? Was it not the immeasurable troubles 4 among which he had been brought up ? And what brought 4 the rich man to Gehenna? Was it not the pleasures and 4 lusts which were flaming within his body? Each one of us,
* then, according to his measure, by the nod of the fire of his 4 person which is found with him, shall receive his deserts in
* the world which is to come; and each one of us, unless he be
* watchful, shall be shaken up with the wood, and the straw, 4 and the stubble. And since it is necessary for us to extin-
* guish carefully the lusts which bestir themselves in us, we 4 have need [to drink] water, and not wine."
And since it is necessary for us to extin-
* guish carefully the lusts which bestir themselves in us, we 4 have need [to drink] water, and not wine. "
380. An old man used to say, 44 True obedience is like unto a 4 chaste woman who is betrothed, and who is not drawn aside 4 after strange voices; and the ear which turneth away, ever 4 so little, from the truth, is like an adulterous woman who 4 turneth away from her husband; and the mind which is led 4 by every doctrine of error is like unto a harlot, who obey- 4 eth every one who calleth her. Let us then rebuke the 4 wandering mind which is corrupted by strange voices, and
which loveth the voice of its seducer instead of that of the true bridegroom; for it hath accepted to be called by the name of a stranger, and not by that of Christ."
381. An old man used to say, 44 If thou hast prayed for thy companion thou hast also prayed for thyself, but if thou hast prayed for thyself only thou hast impoverished thy petition; and if thou hast shown that thy brother hath offended thee, thou hast also shown that thou hast offended thyself. Those prayers, which have not taken their mind with them when they have ascended and gone up, stand outside the door, and it is love which openeth the door before them. The prayer which possesseth not the wings of the spirit to [mount up] on high standeth before the mouth of him that prayeth it, and thinking that it hath flown away he doth not perceive that it remaineth [near him]. Offer with thine offering salt, as it is written (Leviticus ii, 13). Let the love of thy Lord be salt for thy sacrifice, for the sacrifice which hath not salt through His love is despised and rejedled before Him."
382. One of the holy men used to say thus: — 44 1 have passed
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* 1 the whole period of twenty years in striving so that a strange "thought might not enter into my heart, and I have seen " Satan, until the ninth hour, with his bow stretched ready to " shoot an arrow into my heart; and when he could not find "an opportunity, he was filled with disgust, and he would " depart each day, having been put to shame."
383. An old man said, "If thou art a [true] penitent thou "hast nothing whatsoever to do with these who are in the "world."
383. An old man said, "If thou art a [true] penitent thou "hast nothing whatsoever to do with these who are in the "world. "
384. There was a certain holy man in Egypt who dwelt in the desert, and a little way beyond him was an elder (or priest), who was a Manichean; and this Manichean was obliged to make a journey and to go to one who was of the same faith as himself, and as he was going along the road, he arrived at eventide at the place where the holy man lived, and the Mani- chean was in great distress, for he had no place near at hand wherein to enter. Now he was afraid to go to the holy man, for he thought that he would recognize him, and would not allow him to enter [his cell]; nevertheless, being sore pressed, and not knowing where [else] to go, he knocked at the door of that holy man; and he opened the door, and the Manichean went in, and the holy man received him with gladness, and he knew who he was, and he urged him to pray, and he relieved all his wants, and the Manichean slept, and was refreshed. And it came to pass during the night that the Manichean came to himself, and said, "How is it that there is nothing which "it was seemly to do which this blessed man hath not done " for me? Verily this is a man of God." Then he rose up and fell down at his feet, and said, "From this day onwards I shall "believe as thou believest"; and he turned to the truth, and he became a friend of the holy man and lived with him always.
385. I have heard that Abb& Isaac said concerning Abbft Muthues his Rabbd, now they both arrived at the dignity of the episcopacy, that first of all Abbd Muthues built his monastery in the country of the Harbfcl&y6 (Herakleans), but that being much troubled by the multitudes who came to him, he left that place, and departed, and went to another spot in order that he might find quietness, and he built a monastery for himself there. And by the operation of Satan as it were, he found there a certain brother with whom he was at enmity, and he afflidled him greatly; and the old man saw [this], and he rose up and departed to his village, so that the man might not be vexed through him, and there he built a monastery, and shut himself in it. Now after a time, the fathers of that place wherefrom Abbd Muthues had departed gathered together, and they took that brother who was aggrieved, and they went to him in order
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Now after a time, the fathers of that place wherefrom Abbd Muthues had departed gathered together, and they took that brother who was aggrieved, and they went to him in order
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to entreat him and to bring him to his monastery ; and when they had arrived at the place where Abbd Soridn used to dwell, they left their cloaks there, and the aggrieved brother was with them. And when the fathers had knocked, the old man brought forward a ladder, and he recognized them, and said unto them, "Where are your cloaks?" And they said, "They are here " with us, with such and such a brother." Now when the old man heard the name of that brother, in sheer joy he took an axe and opened the door, and he ran to the place where that brother was, and the holy man fell at the feet of the saint, and he made entreaty to him, and he kissed him, and saluted him, and he brought him and the fathers to his cell, and he refreshed both him and them for three days; and he made ready a meal, which he was not in the habit of doing, and he rose up and went with them with great joy. Now afterwards he was called to the office of Bishop, and he became a worker of signs and miracles, and he also made his disciple Abb& Isaac a Bishop, and he continued to lead a life of spiritual excellence until the end of his life.
386. They used to say of Abbd Serapion, the Bishop, that whensoever a man came to him to receive the monastic garb, he said these words to him, "When thou prayest say, 'Lord, 4 4 4 teach me to do Thy will. ' "
387* On one occasion Abb& Paphnutius was living in a re- mote desert, and it happened that a certain brother came to him and found him sick, and the brother took him, and washed him, and of the food which he had with him he boiled a little, and brought it to him to eat. And when he saw [this] he answered and said, " In very truth it had passed from my mind " that this gratification for the children of men existed"; and he brought him a cup of cream. Now when the old man saw him, he wept, and said, "I never expected that, even to the " day of my death, I should drink wine."
And when he saw [this] he answered and said, " In very truth it had passed from my mind " that this gratification for the children of men existed"; and he brought him a cup of cream. Now when the old man saw him, he wept, and said, "I never expected that, even to the " day of my death, I should drink wine. "
388. One of the fathers told a story, saying: "On one occa- " sion two brethren according to the body came to the desert " to a certain monk, and they conducted themselves in an ex- " cellent manner, and they were praised by the whole brother- " hood. And it came to pass that one of them fell into a sick- " ness which lasted not a few years, and his brother ministered "unto him, and certain fathers came to visit him, and they " began to praise him that ministered unto him, saying, 'Thy " 4 willingness and thy abstinence profit the whole brotherhood. ' "And he answered and said unto them with great humility, " 4 Forgive me, O my fathers, for I have not as yet begun to " 1 lead a life of rule, but it is my brother who doeth the works " 4 of excellence, and that ye may indeed learn that such is the
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44 4 case, come after me and see.'" Then he took them in to his brother in the cell wherein he lay, and he said unto him, 41 Father, where is the axe which I gave thee yesterday?" And he began to seek for it. Then he said unto him, 4 4 See, O my 44 brother, do an act of grace and seek for it with me," and the sick brother took it upon himself to be asked for that which he had not taken. And having profited [by his example] the fathers departed from that place.
389. An old man used to say, 4 4 Flee from that love which 44 subsisteth by means of the things which are corrupt, for 44 with them a man also passeth away and is destroyed."
390. Abbd Elijah used to say, 4 4 The love which a man pos- 44 sesseth for his neighbour, and which is caused by some 44 temporal matter is, in the process of time, turned into fierce 44 enmity."
391. And he also said, 44 Whatsoever hath its being for God's 44 sake endureth and abideth for ever with those who are true."
390. Abbd Elijah used to say, 4 4 The love which a man pos- 44 sesseth for his neighbour, and which is caused by some 44 temporal matter is, in the process of time, turned into fierce 44 enmity. "
391. And he also said, 44 Whatsoever hath its being for God's 44 sake endureth and abideth for ever with those who are true. "
392. On one occasion the priest of Pilisidn heard that cer- tain of the brethren were idle and lazy, and that they were constantly in the city, and that they swam in the baths, and neglected the works of excellence which belong to the life of the monk, and when they came to the congregation he took their monkish dress from them; and having done [this] he was sad at heart, and repented, and he went to Abbd Poemen and informed him about them. And the old man said unto him, 44 Hast thou nothing of the old man about thee?" [And he said 44 Yea." And the old man said unto him], 4 4 Therefore thou thy- 4 4 self art like unto them, and thou art nigh unto sin." Then the priest went and expressed his sorrow to them, and he put on them the dress of monks [once more]. Now they were twelve in all.
393. On one occasion tribulation came upon the monks in a certain place where they were living, and they wished to for- sake it and come to Abb£ Ammon; and behold, he was travel- ling in a boat, and he saw them going along by the side of the river, and he ordered the boatmen to bring [the boat] close to land. Then he called these brethren and said unto them, 44 1 am 4 4 Ammon to whom ye wish to go and he entreated them to go back to their place, and he comforted them, and told them to endure patiently, for there was in the matter no loss to the soul, but only human vexation.
394. On one occasion an old man went up from Scete to the brethren in the mountain, and when they saw that he was a man of great ascetic labours, and that he practised stern self- denial, they entreated him to let them make a meal for him, and they brought him a little wine to drink. Now the people
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of the country heard about him, and they brought him a man who was afflicted with a devil that he might heal him; and when the devil saw him, he began to revile him, saying, 11 Hast " thou brought this winebibber to me?" And the old man did not wish to cast him out because of the praise of men, but, be- cause the devil had reviled him, he said unto him, " I believe in "Christ, and I shall not have drunk [this] cup of wine until " thou hast gone forth"; and as he began to drink that devil cried out, and said, "Thou art consuming me": and before the old man could drink that cup [of wine] the devil went forth by the grace of Christ.
395. They used to say that a certain father who was a re- cluse had a brother, according to the body, who lived in another cell, and that this brother fell ill, and sent to him a message to come and see him before he died; and his brother said, "I am unable to go out for the sake of my brother in the "flesh." And his brother sent him another message, saying, "Come, if it be only in the night, that I may see thee"; and the recluse said, " I cannot do so, for if I did my heart would "not be pure before God." So the brother died, and they did not see each other.
396. They once wanted to make Abb£ Isaac priest in Scete, and when he heard [this] he fled to Egypt, and he went into a field and hid himself among the crop because the fathers were pursuing him, and when they came to that field they began to weary a little; and they turned the ass which they had with them out to feed, but he left the whole field, and went and stood up in that place where Abbd Isaac was hidden. And in the morning they went out to look for the ass, and they found the ass and the old man [together] and they marvelled; and when they wished to make Abb£ Isaac take an oath [not to run away] he would not allow them [to do so], and he said unto them, "I shall not flee again, for it is the will of God, and "whithersoever I flee I shall come to this thing, for this is a "consecration by God."
397. Abbd Macarius asked Abb£ Arsenius, saying, "Is it "good for a man not to have any pleasure at all in his cell? " I know a brother who used to have a few garden herbs in " his cell, and to prevent himself from having any gratification "therefrom, he pulled them up by the roots"; and Abb& Arsenius said unto him, "This is good, but every man [must " do] as he is able, and if he hath not strength to persist in " this perhaps he should plant others."
398. The old men who were in Egypt told Abbd Elijah that Abb& Agathon was a great man. And the old man said unto them, "Considering his youth he was a great man in his
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"generation, but he was very far removed from the men of old. " I saw in Scete an old man who was able to hold back the sun " in his course in the heavens like Joshua, the son of Nun"; and when they heard [this] they marvelled and praised God.
399. A certain brother asked Abba* Poemen about fornication, and he answered and said, "[It cometh upon a man] because "our eyes will not allow us to see the help of God which " surroundeth a man, for a man is constrained to humility and " to the fear of God at all times, even as he is constrained [to " draw] the breath which goeth forth from his mouth."
400. An old man used to say, "If thou wishest to learn to "know [thy] neighbour praise him more than thou rebukest "him."
401. They used to say that whensoever one of the fathers wished to sleep a little, he would sit down in his cell at some distance from the wall, so that whenever he nodded his head he became wide awake.
402. And whensoever another of the old men lay down he used to hold up a book above him, and when he dropped off to sleep the book would fall down and wake him.
403. Abba* Besarion said, ( ' 1 stood up for forty nights and did "not sleep."
Abbd Anthony said, "I do not fear God, on the contrary I "love Him."
404. One of the old men whilst exhorting the brethren to work of spiritual excellence used to say, "Troubles are hard " unto those who are not accustomed to them. Troubles are like " unto dogs; for as dogs bite those who are not familiar with "them and wag their tails at those who are, so also are " labours, because they give pain to those who have no ex- " perience of them, and they are pleasing unto those who are " trained in bearing them. This exception must, however, be " made: lusts are wont to produce troubles and adversities, " but troubles are the cause of pleasure and delights."
405. On one occasion Abb& Ammon came to cross the river, and he found that they were making ready a boat to take [some] men over, and he sat down in it ; and behold, there was another boat which was going to take over some women, and they cried out to him, "Come thou, father, and cross over " with us." And he answered and said unto them, "If I had "not been going to cross over in the public boat I could "not cross [with you]." Now he had with him a bundle of palm leaves, and he sat down and plaited mats until that boat was ready, and then he crossed over the river [in it]. And the brethren expressed their regrets, saying, "Why hast thou " done thus?" Then the old man said unto them, " Because I
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" Now he had with him a bundle of palm leaves, and he sat down and plaited mats until that boat was ready, and then he crossed over the river [in it]. And the brethren expressed their regrets, saying, "Why hast thou " done thus? " Then the old man said unto them, " Because I
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"do not at all times travel in great haste, and because my " thoughts are not always in a turmoil." Now this is a proof that a man should travel on the path of God with a well ordered mind.
406. One of the old men came to one of the fathers [and asked him] to go and visit Abba Joseph, and he said to him, " Tell thy disciple to go with us"; and the father said, " Call " him, and whatsoever thou commandest him, he will do." The old man said unto him, " What is his name?" and the Rabba of the disciple said, " I know not." The old man said unto him, " And how long hath he been with thee? Dost thou not "know his name?" And the father said, "Behold, he hath "been with me for two years"; then the old man answered and said, " If he hath been with thee for two years, and thou " hast not learnt his name, how can I learn it in one day?"
407. A brother asked Abba Poemen, and said, "On one oc- casion I was distressed, and I begged one of the holy men " to lend me a certain thing, and he gave it to me as a free "gift; now if God prospereth me shall I give it to another " man, or shall I return it to him that gave it to me in the " time of my tribulation?" The old man saith, "The gift was "most certainly from God, and it is meet for thee to return it " to Him, for it belongeth to Him." And that brother said unto him, "Supposing that I carry it to Him, and He refuse to take " it, and say unto me, ' Get thee gone, and give it as a free " 'gift to anyone at thy pleasure,' what am I to do?" The old man said, "The thing still belongeth to Him. For if " a man bringeth thee something of his own accord and thou "hast no knowledge about it, in this manner the thing is "his; but if thou hast borrowed something, either from a monk " or from a man in the world, and he refuseth to take it back, " it belongeth to thee and thou mayest do what thou pleasest "with it."