Raindrops moisten the furrows, and tear-laden sighs rising from the heart soften the soul's state during prayer. Ilias the Presbyter

Nothing is better than pure prayer. From it, as from a spring, come the virtues: understanding and gentleness, love and self-control, and the support and encouragement that God grants in response to tears. St Theognostos

Fire cannot last long in water, nor can a shameful thought in a heart that loves God. For every man who loves God suffers gladly, and voluntary suffering is by nature the enemy of sensual pleasure. St. Mark the Ascetic

Control desire and you will dominate anger; for desire gives rise to anger. St. Thalassios the Libyan

The intellect cannot be still unless the body is still also; and the wall between them cannot be demolished without stillness and prayer. St. Mark the Ascetic

Think nothing and do nothing without a purpose directed to God. For to journey without direction is wasted effort. St. Mark the Ascetic

Prayer is communion of the intellect with God. What state, then, does the intellect need so that it can reach out to its Lord without deflection and commune with Him without intermediary. Evagrios the Solitary

If a man has some spiritual gift and feels compassion for those who do not have it, he preserves the gift because of his compassion. But a boastful man will lose it through succumbing to the temptations of boastfulness. St. Mark the Ascetic

What is good, except God? Then let us leave to Him everything that concerns us and all will be well. For He who is good is naturally also a giver of good gifts. Evagrios the Solitary

No cloud is formed without a breath of wind; and no passion is born without a thought. St. Mark the Ascetic

If a person is expecting to be summoned tomorrow by the king, will he have any concern other than to consider what he will say in order to please the king? A soul that takes careful note of this will not be found unprepared when it comes before the future [...]

If a man tries to overcome temptations without prayer and patient endurance, he will become more entangled in them instead of driving them away. St. Mark the Ascetic

The wisdom of God is revealed in His becoming by nature a true man. His justice is shown by His assumption, at His nativity, of a passible nature identical to our own. His might is shown by His creation, through His suffering and death, of a life that is by [...]

Call upon God to open the eyes of your heart, so that you may see the value of prayer and of spiritual reading when understood and applied. St. Mark the Ascetic

If you want to be free of all the passions, practice self-control, love and prayer. St Thalassios the Libyan

When you have done something good, remember the words 'without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5). St. Mark the Ascetic

Many of us are talkers, few are doers. But no one should distort the word of God through his own negligence. He must confess his weakness and not hide God’s truth. Otherwise he will be guilty not only of breaking the commandments but also of falsifying the word of God. [...]

No cloud is formed without a breath of wind; and no passion is born without a thought. St. Mark the Ascetic

It is written: 'Not everyone who says to Me: "Lord, Lord" shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father' (Matt. 7:21). The will of the Father is indicated in the words: 'You who love the Lord, hate evil’ (Ps. 97:10). Hence we [...]

All vice is caused by self-esteem and sensual pleasure; you cannot overcome passion without hating them. Just as sheep and wolves cannot feed together, so a man cannot receive mercy if he tricks his neighbour. St. Mark the Ascetic