Ancient Patericon

“A brother asked an elder: If I see my brother fall into sin, is it good to hide him? The Elder answered: When, out of love, we hide the sin of our brother, then God also hides our sins; but when we show our brother's sin before others, then God also makes our sins known to people.”

— Ancient Patericon, 9.9

“They asked an elder, "What is humility?" The elder said, "When your brother sins against you, and you forgive him, before he repents before you."”

— Ancient Patericon, 15.74

“A certain monk asked one of the elders, "Why are my thoughts always inclined to defilement, so that they give me no rest even for an hour, and my soul is troubled?" The elder said to him, "If the demons inspire thoughts in you, do not give in to them." It is their nature to tempt constantly. And even though they never leave off this temptation, they cannot force you to sin. It depends on your will to listen to them or not to listen." The brother said to the elder, "What should I do? I am weak and the passion is conquering me." The elder answered, "Guard against them, and when they begin to speak to you, do not answer them, but pray to God: Son of God, have mercy on me!"”

— Ancient Patericon, 5.35

“A certain monk lived in a monastery, and he was always angry. He decided, "I will leave this place and dwell by myself as a hermit, and then I will have no relations with anyone, and the passion of anger will leave me." Leaving the monastery, he settled in a cave. One day, having taken up a pitcher of water, the monk set it on the ground, and it tipped over. Again he drew the water, and the pitcher tipped a second time. Then he drew it again, and it fell a third time. The brother got angry, picked it up and broke it. When he had come to himself, he understood that the devil had triumphed over him and said, "Behold, I have gone away into seclusion, and I am conquered! I will go back to the monastery, for patience and the help of God are necessary everywhere!" And he returned to his previous place.”

— Ancient Patericon, 7.38

“A certain monk had a struggle against defiled lusts. He got up at night and went to the elder and confessed to him the thoughts that were drawing him to defilement. The elder calmed him and the brother, have benefited, returned to his cell. But the struggle rose up against him again, and again he went to the elder. He did this a few times. The elder did not grieve him, but said, "Don't give up, but it is better that you come to me whenever the demon disturbs you, and repel him by exposing your thoughts. By such a repulsion he will pass you by. For nothing so burns the demon of defilement as the revelation of his deeds [in confession before a spiritual father]. And nothing makes him as happy as the hiding of thoughts." Thus the brother came to the elder eleven times, repelling his thoughts, and the brother's temptation ceased.”

— Ancient Patericon, 5.16

“A certain monk asked St. Anthony the Great, "What must I do to be saved?" The elder answered him, "Don't trust in your own righteousness, don't worry about what's past, and constrain your tongue and your stomach."”

— Ancient Patericon, 1.2

“Another brother asked Abba Macarius, "How can I be saved?" The elder answered him, "Be like one dead: do not think about insults from people, nor of glory, and you will be saved."”

— Ancient Patericon, 10.45