Sayings of the desert fathers on humility

1. "Abba Poemen said, 'A man may seem to be silent, but if his heart is condemning others, he is babbling ceaselessly. But there may be another who talks from morning till night and yet he is truly silent; that is, he says nothing that is not profitable.'"

2. "Abba Anthony said, 'I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, 'What can get through from such snares?' Then I heard a voice saying to me, 'Humility.'"

3. "Abba Agathon said, 'I have never worked for God, but God has worked for me.'"

4. "Abba Poemen said, 'If a man has humility and fear of God, all his labor is not lost.'"

5. "Abba Poemen said, 'If a man has sinned and denies it, saying, 'I have not sinned,' do not reprove him, for he condemns himself. But if he admits it, say to him, 'Do not despair, brother, do not despair. There is a physician who heals and forgives freely, the Lord.'"

6. "Abba Anthony said, 'I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, 'What can get through from such snares?' Then I heard a voice saying to me, 'Humility.'"

7. "Abba Poemen said, 'If a man has humility and fear of God, all his labor is not lost.'"

8. "Abba Poemen said, 'If a man has sinned and denies it, saying, 'I have not sinned,' do not reprove him, for he condemns himself. But if he admits it, say to him, 'Do not despair, brother, do not despair. There is a physician who heals and forgives freely, the Lord.'"

These sayings emphasize the importance of humility in the spiritual life and the need to acknowledge one's faults and rely on God's mercy for forgiveness.

Above is Sayings of the desert fathers on humility.