“Many people living secluded lives on the mountain have perished by living like people in the world. It is better to live in a crowd and want to live a solitary life than to live a solitary life but all the time be longing for company.”

“Habit is a powerful agent, and by degrees is changed into nature itself; so that some call it a second nature.”

True patience and tranquility is neither gained nor retained without profound humility of heart.

Abba John said to his brother, 'Even if we are entirely despised in the eyes of men, let us rejoice that we are honored in the sight of God.'

Amma Olympias was a “...partner of the divine Word, a consort of every true humility, a companion and servant of the holy, catholic and apostolic Church of God.”

"Since the day I was called a monk, no lie has come out of my mouth."

“By an invincible patience he bore all afflictions and rebukes without a word of complaint; he sincerely looked upon himself as the outcast of the world; and he spoke to all with the most engaging sweetness and charity.”

“If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian.”

“I have looked so closely into my heart that I cannot find there any single good action. I know my sins and they are more than the sand upon the sea-shore."

"Prayer is union with God, and one who loves prayer soon becomes the son of God.”

“The marriage which men contract is a perishable thing, but let us choose for ourselves the marriage which perishes not, and the marriage feast which never ends.”

Abba Pambo said, 'If you have a heart, you can be saved.'

“Life is short; why, then, degrade our bodies, which are the temples of God ? Why defile the chastity in which Christ has His dwelling?”

Abba Agathon used to say, “The crown of the monk is humility.” “Love is to find a leper, to take his body, and gladly give him your own.”

“It is the wisdom of the saints to recognize the will of God. Indeed, in obeying the truth, man surpasses everything else, for he is the image and likeness of God.”

For an insult which is rendered externally reveals the character. This great pope remembered, that, by his station, he was the common father of the poor.

'Unhappy is the man whose reputation is greater than his work.'"

Melania was known as “...having been held worthy to be seized upon by divine love,” and “…being hot as fire with divine zeal.

​"In that choir of saints who shine like brilliant stars in the night of this world, we have seen the holy Paphnutius, like some great luminary, shining with the brightness of knowledge."

“Having received, therefore, a command to love God, we have possessed the innate power of loving from the first moment of our creation.”