Care Of Flesh And Spirit

Ὥσπερ ὑπωπιασμοῦ δεῖται ἡ εὐεκτοῦσα σὰρξ κατευνάζοντος τῶν παθῶν τὰ οἰδήματα· οὕτω καὶ βοηθείας χρήζει ἡ ἀσθενοῦσα καὶ κακώσει συμπίπτουσα ψυχὴ, ἵνα ταῖς θείαις ἐντολαῖς ὑπεραυγάζηται. Ἀμφοτέρων οὖν φροντιστέον. Θατέρου γὰρ λείποντος, δυσχερὴς ἡ τελείωσις. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ Η' Τιμοθεῳ Source: Migne PG 78.184d-185a

As healthy flesh that has been buffeted needs rest from the swellings caused by blows, so the soul stands in need of relief when it has weakened and fallen into evils, so that it be illuminated by the Divine commandments. Both of them require attention. The neglect of one makes perfection most difficult. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 8, to Timotheus