V iolence is what thy god prevented me from doing why carry it on

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quote 4556  |   Desert Fathers

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F or God is silence, and in silence is he sung by means of that psalmody which is worthy of Him. I am not speaking of the silence of the tongue, for if someone merely keeps his tongue silent, without knowing how to sing in mind and spirit, then he is simply unoccupied and becomes filled with evil thoughts: … There is a silence of the tongue, there is a silence of the whole body, there is a silence of the soul, there is the silence of the mind, and there is the silence of the spirit.

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quote 3359  |   Desert Fathers John the Solitary in The Syrian Fathers on Prayer and the Spiritual Life" (Cistercian Studies 101; Kalama-zoo 1987). [Malayalam adaptation by G.Chediath, 1990; Persian tr.Tehran 1997(-); French translation of Introduction and selections by M.Moubarakah and J. Obeid, in Parole de l'Orient 26 (2001), 201-266; complete French translation forthcoming].

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F or he was a man full of discernment and the good odour of the Holy Spirit.

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quote 3354  |   Desert Fathers An Abba of Rome (probably Arsenius): The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 210, An Abba of Rome, 2

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I t was said of Abba Sisoes that when he was at the point of death, while the Fathers were sitting beside him, his face shone like the sun. He said to them, "Look, Abba Anthony is coming." A little later he said, "Look, the choir of prophets is coming." Again his countenance shone with brightness and he said, "Look, the choir of apostles is coming." His countenance increased in brightness and lo, he spoke with someone. Then the old men asked him, "With whom are you speaking, Father?" He said, "Look, the angels are coming to fetch me, and I am begging them to let me do a little penance." The old man said to him, "You have no need to do penance, Father." But the old man said to them, "Truly, I do not think I have even made a beginning yet." Now they all knew that he was perfect. Once more his countenance suddenly became like the sun and they were all filled with fear. He said to them, "Look, the Lord is coming and he's saying, 'Bring me the vessel from the desert'" (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7). Then there was as a flash of lightening and all the house was filled with a sweet odour.

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quote 3353  |   Desert Fathers Abba Sisoes: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, pp. 214-215, Sisoes 14

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T he monk must die to everything before leaving the body, in order not to harm anyone.

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quote 3352  |   Desert Fathers Abba Moses: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 141, Moses 2

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A bba Ammoun of Rhaithou asked Abba Sisoes, "When I read the Scriptures, my mind is wholly concentrated on the words so that I may have something to say if I am asked." The old man said to him, "That is not necessary; it is better to enrich yourself through purity of spirit and to be without anxiety and then to speak."

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quote 3351  |   Desert Fathers Abba Sisoes: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 216, Abba Sisoes 17

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A teacher ought to be a stranger to the desire for domination, vain-glory, and pride; one should not be able to fool him by flattery, nor blind him by gifts, nor conquer him by the stomach, nor dominate him by anger; but he should be patient, gentle and humble as far as possible; he must be tested and without partisanship, full of concern, and a lover of souls.

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quote 3350  |   Desert Fathers Amma Theodora: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, pp. 83-84, Amma Theodora 5

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T he true monk should have prayer and psalmody continually in his heart.

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quote 3349  |   Desert Fathers Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 57, Epiphanus 3

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W hen we turn our spirit from the contemplation of God, we become the slaves of carnal passions.

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quote 3348  |   Desert Fathers Abba Theonas: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 80, Theonas 1

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I f we keep remembering the wrongs which men have done us, we destroy the power of the remembrance of God…

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quote 3347  |   Desert Fathers Abba Macarius the Great: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 136, Macarius 36

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W atching means to sit in the cell and be always mindful of God. This is what is meant by, "I was on the watch and God came to me."

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quote 3346  |   Desert Fathers Abba John the Dwarf: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 91, John the Dwarf 27  {see Mt. 25:36; and Lk. 12:37-40}

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S omeone asked Abby Anthony, "What must one do in order to please God?" The old man replied, "… whoever you may be, always have God before your eyes…"

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quote 3345  |   Desert Fathers Abba Anthony the Great: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 2, Anthony the Great 3

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I t is possible to be a solitary in one's mind while living in a crowd, and it is possible for one who is a solitary to live in the crowd of his own thoughts.

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quote 3344  |   Desert Fathers Amma Syncletica: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 234, Syncletica 19

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I f the soul is vigilant and withdraws from all distraction and abandons its own will, then the spirit of God invades it and it can conceive because it is free to do so (cf. Jn. 3:3-8).

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quote 3343  |   Desert Fathers Abba Cronius: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 115, Cronius 1

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B e joyful at all times… and give thanks for all things.

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quote 3342  |   Desert Fathers Abba Benjamin: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 44, Benjamim 4

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B lessed is he who bears affliction with thankfulness.

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quote 3341  |   Desert Fathers Abba Copres: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 118, Copres 2

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D o 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.

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quote 3340  |   Desert Fathers Abba Nilus: The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection. Trans. Benedicta Ward, SLG. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications Inc., 1984, 1975, p. 154, Nilus 7

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R emember him who gives death and life. Hate the world and all that is in it. Hate all peace that comes from the flesh. Renounce this life, so that you may be alive to God.

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quote 3339  |   Desert Fathers Abba Anthony the Great:(p. 8, Anthony the Great 33)

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D o not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart.

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quote 3338  |   Desert Fathers Abba Poemen (called the Shepherd) p. 178, Poemen 80)

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T he desire for possessions is dangerous and terrible, knowing no satiety; it drives the soul which it controls to the heights of evil.

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quote 3337  |   Desert Fathers Abba Isidore of Pelusia: p. 99, Isidore 6)

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