Sayings of the desert mothers
1. "Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it." - Desert Mother Amma Syncletica
2. "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." - Desert Mother Mary of Egypt
3. "The soul that is attached to anything however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of divine union. For whether it be a strong wire rope or a slender and delicate thread that holds the bird, it matters not, if it really holds it fast; for until the cord be broken, the bird cannot fly." - Desert Mother Amma Theodora
4. "The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience." - Desert Mother Amma Sarah
5. "The more you increase in knowledge, the more you increase in sorrow." - Desert Mother Amma Syncletica
6. "The true fast is that in which sins, anger, tongue, and instincts are under control." - Desert Mother Amma Syncletica
7. "Let us strive to enter by the narrow gate. Just as the trees, if they have not stood before the winter's storms cannot bear fruit, so it is with us; this present age is a storm and it is only through many trials and temptations that we can obtain an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven." - Desert Mother Amma Theodora
8. "If you want to find rest here below, and hereafter, in all circumstances say, 'Who am I?' and do not judge anyone." - Desert Mother Amma Syncletica
9. "If you find yourself in a monastery, do not go to another place, for that will harm you a great deal. Just as the bird who abandons the eggs she was sitting on prevents them from hatching, so the monk or nun grows cold and their faith dies when they go from one place to another." - Desert Mother Amma Syncletica
10. "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." - Desert Mother Amma Syncletica
Above is Sayings of the desert mothers.