Sayings of the desert fathers alphabetical collection
Here are some sayings from the Desert Fathers:
1. "Do not be always wanting everything to turn out as you think it should, but rather as God pleases, then you will be undisturbed and thankful in your prayer." - Abba Nilus
2. "A brother asked Abba Poemen, 'If I see my brother sin, is it right to say nothing about it?' The old man replied, 'Whenever we cover our brother's sin, God will cover ours; whenever we tell people about our brother's guilt, God will do the same about ours.'" - Abba Poemen
3. "The true monk is one who is angry with his own sins and not with his brother's." - Abba Poemen
4. "A brother asked Abba Agathon, 'Amongst all good works, which is the virtue which requires the greatest effort?' He answered, 'Forgive me, but I think there is no labor greater than that of prayer to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies, the demons, want to prevent him, for they know that it is only by turning him from prayer that they can hinder his journey. Whatever good work a man undertakes, if he perseveres in it, he will attain rest. But prayer is warfare to the last breath.'" - Abba Agathon
5. "Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, 'Abba, as far as I can, I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?' Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, 'If you will, you can become all flame.'" - Abba Joseph
These sayings are just a few examples of the wisdom and teachings of the Desert Fathers, who were early Christian hermits, ascetics, and monks who lived mainly in the deserts of Egypt and Syria in the 3rd to 5th centuries.
Above is Sayings of the desert fathers alphabetical collection.