The Narrow And Difficult Way

Ἠρωτήθη ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς, τίς ἐστιν ἡ ὁδος ἡ στενὴ καὶ τεθλιμμένη, καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἰπεν· Ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ στενὴ καὶ τεθλιμμένη αὔτη ἐστι· τὸ βιάζεσθαι τοὺς λογισμοὺς ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ κόπτειν διὰ τὸν Θεὸν τὰ ἰοια θελήματα· καὶ τοὺτό ἐστι τὸ, Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα, καὶ ἠκολουθήσαμεν σοι. Ἀποφθέγματα Ἀγίων Γερόντων, Παλλάδιος Γαλατίας Source: Migne PG 65.124a

Father Ammonas was asked, 'What is the narrow and difficult way?' 1 He answered, 'The narrow and difficult way is this: to beat down one's own thoughts and wrestle the will toward God. Thus it is that, 'Behold, we have left everything and followed you.' 2 Sayings of the Fathers, Palladius of Galatia 1 cf Mt 7.13-14 2 Mt 19.27