Prayer And The Body

Εὔχονται πολλάκις τινὲς ἀπαλλαγῆναι τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος, ὡς πρὸς τὸ ἁμαρτάνειν τὴν ψυχὴν συνελαύνοντος . Ἐχρῆν δὲ αὐτοὺς μᾶλλον εὔχεσθαι ἀπαλλαγῆναι τοῦ ἑαυτῶν μοχθηροῦ τρόπου, καὶ τῆς ἐμπαθοῦς, καὶ φιλορύπου γνώμης. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΤΚΖ' Ἱππονικῳ Σκρινιαριῳ Source: Migne PG 79.201a

It very often happens that not a few pour out their prayers so that they may be freed from their own body, as if it were that the soul is driven to sin by it. Rather they should pray to be delivered from their own vicious habits and sordid minds and confused desires. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 327, To Hipponicus The Scrinarius

Judgement And Salvation

Οὔτε ἡ ἀρετὴ, οὔτε ἡ κακία μένει αμετάπτωτος, καὶ ἀκίνητος, ἐπειδὴ ἐθελότρεπτόν ἐστι ἀνθρώπινον γένος. Ὂνπερ τοίνυν ὑπολαμβάνεις τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἀμελέστατον εἶναι, ὅνπερ νομίζεις ἁμαρτωλὸν ὑπο ἄρχειν, οὐκ οἶδας, μήποτε καθ' ἑαυτὸν στενάξας, καὶ μεταβαλλόμενος ἐπὶ τὸ κρεῖττον, παρὰ Θεῷ σώζεται. Σὺ δὲ ἀγονῶν εὐτελίζεις πολλάκις τὸν τοιοῦτον, καὶ λοιδορεῖς , καὶ πικρῶς κατακρίνεις τὸν ὑπὲρ σὲ σωζόμενον ἄνθρωπον. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Δεύτερον, ΡΚΔ' Εὑλυσιῳ Μοναχῳ Source: Migne PG 79.253b

Since the human race is changeable neither virtue nor wickedness remain constant and unchanging. He, then, whom you reckon to be the most negligent brother and whom you judge to be a sinner, you do not know that  sometimes he groans over himself and is changing into something better, being saved by God. And being ignorant you often think such a man is worthless and you abuse and bitterly scorn him who is being saved over you. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 2, Letter 124 to Eulysios the Monk

Sickness And Judgement

Ὥσπερ οἱ πυρέττοντες νομίζουσι πικρὸν εἶναι τὸ μέλι, τῶν παρ' αὐτοῖς βεβλαμμένων γευστικῶν δυνάμεων, οὕτως καὶ τῆς ψυχῆς τις τὸ γευστικόν βλάπτεται. Καί φησιν ὁ προφήτης· Οὐαὶ τοῖς λέγουσι τὸ γλυκὺ πικρόν. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΡϟΔ' Ἀγλαιος Ἀντεκηνσορι Source: Migne PG 79.156c

As those afflicted by a fever have their faculty of taste corrupted and judge that honey is bitter, so it is with those whose soul's power of taste has been harmed, and thus the Prophet says, 'Woe to those who say that what is bitter is sweet.' 1 Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 194, To Aglaios the Antecessor 1 Isaiah 5.20

Strong Souls

Στιβαρῶν καὶ στεῤῥῶν ὑπάρχει ψυχῶν, τὸ διὰ πολλῶν θλίψεων βαδίζειν τὴν τοῦ παρόντος αἰῶνος οδόν. Οὕτω γὰρ ὁ Κύριος κέχρηται τῇ εὐτονούσῃ. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ TB', Φιληκῃ Πρεσβυτερῳ Source: Migne PG 79.192d

Souls become robust and firm by walking on the way of the many trials of this present world. So the Lord has improved fortitude. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 302, to Felix the Priest

A Little Perseverence

Οταν δυνηθῇς δύο μῆνας εὐχῇ, καὶ τῇ ἡσυχία προσκαρτερῆσαι, τότε κἂν ὄνυχά πού τινα, ἢ φαντασίαν μικράν τινα ἐν νῷ λαβεῖν δυνήσῃ τῆς ἐπιπόνου τληπαθείας, καὶ τῆς πολυμόχθου διαγωγής, τῶν διὰ πάσης τῆς ζωῆς προσανεχόντων τῷ μονήρει κανόνι, καὶ τῇ ἀκτυπησία. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΣΠΑ' Ἱλαριος Πρεσβυτέρῳ Source: Migne PG 79.185a

When you are able to persevere two months in prayer and quiet, then you may have a certain sniff or a brief glimpse of the laborious toil and burdensome years of those who through their whole lives are bound to silence by the monastic rule. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 281, to Hilarius the Presbyter

The Spirit And Freedom

Πῶς τολμᾶς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον δοῦλον προσααγορεύειν, τὸ διὰ τοῦ ἀσπίλου βαπτίσματος πάντας τοὺς πιστεύοντας ἐλευθεροῦν ; Λέγει γὰρ ὁ Ἀπόστολος, ὅτιπερ, Ο νόμος τοῦ Πνεύματος τῆς ζωῆς ἠλευθέρωσέ με ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου τῆς ἁμαρτίας , καὶ τοῦ θανάτου. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΣΙΑ' Βυριλλῳ Μακεδονιῳ Source: Migne PG 79.160d-161a

How is it that you dare insist that the Holy Spirit is a servant, He who through the cleansing of baptism liberates all who believe? For the Apostle says, 'The law of the Spirit of life has freed me from sin and death.' 1 Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 211, to Byrillos The Macedonian 2 1 Rom 8.2 2 4th c heresy founded by Macedonius, a bishop of Constantinople, who taught that the Holy Spirit was created and subordinate to the Father And Son

Care And Salvation

Ὁ φιλανθρωπότατος Σωτὴρ τῶν ὅλων Χριστός, τό γε ἧκον εἰς αὐτὸν, πάντας ἀνθρώπους παρεγένετο σῶσαι. Καὶ βλέπομεν, ὅτι οὐ πάντες ἑαυτοὺς ἐπιδιδόατι τῇ σωτηρίᾳ ἑαυτῶν. Τοίνυν καταγνῶμεν , καὶ ἑαυτοὺς ταλανίζωμεν τῆς ἀμελείας, καὶ τῆς κακοφασύνης, καὶ μὴ τῷ ἀγαθῷ Δεσπότῃ ἐπάγωμεν τὰ ἐγεκλήματα. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΤΙϚ', Πιεριῳ Συγκλητικῳ. Source: Migne PG 79.196d

The most loving Christ, the Saviour of us all, because He looked to it, came to save all men, yet we see that not everyone gives themselves to their salvation. Let us then recognise and deplore their negligence and depravity, lest we attribute fault to the good Lord. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 316, to Pierius the Syncleticus

Many Generations

Ἐπὶ τῶν σωμάτων μία γένεσίς ἐστιν, ὅτι οὐδεὶς δεύτερον ἐγεννήθη· ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν ψυχῶν τῶν ἁγιάζεσθαι διηνεκώς προαιρουμένων πλείους γενέσεις εὑρίσκονται, ἀεὶ γὰρ ἀνακαινούμενος, καὶ ἀνανεούμενος γεννᾶται ὁ δίκαιος, γεγέννηται σήμερον ἐν πράξει τινὶ ἀγαθῇ, καὶ ἐὰν πάλιν ἄλλην ποιήσῃ ἀγαθὴν, γεγέννηται. Διόπερ ὁ λόγος δαψιλεύεται ἐπὶ τῶν δικαίων τὰς γενέσεις, λέγων διὰ τοῦ Μωϋσέως· Αὗται αἱ γενέσεις Νῶς, αὗται αἱ γενέσεις Ἰακώβ· καὶ εἴ τις ἄλλος εἴρηται πληθυντικώς γενέσεις ἐσχηκέναι. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΣΒ', Καλλιστιωνι Source: Migne PG 79.157c

There is only one generation of bodies, for there is no second generation, but with the souls of those continually striving to be holy there are many generations, for the the righteous man is continually being renewed and improved. 1 He is generated today in some good deed done, and again he is generated if some other good deed is done. Thus we have the passages that tell that the generations of the righteous are many, as through Moses it is said, 'These are the generations of Noah, 2 these are the generations of Jacob,' and if anyone else is said to have had multiple generations. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 202, to Callistion 1 2 Cor 4.16 2 Gen 6.9

Flesh And Blood

Σάρξ καὶ αἷμα , φησὶν, βασιλείαν Θεοῦ οὐ κληρονομήσουσι· τουτέστιν, οἱ σαρκικοὶ τὸν τρόπον ὑπάρχοντες ἔξω τῆς βασιλείας ῥιφθήσονται. Ὑμεῖς δὲ, φησίν, οἱ πιστοὶ, καὶ πνευματικοί , οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐν σαρκί , ἀλλ' ἐν πνεύματι. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ POB', Σωφρονι Τριβουνῳ Source: Migne PG 79.149c

'Flesh and blood,' he says, 'shall not inherit the kingdom of God,' 1 that is, those who hold to the way of the flesh shall be cast outside the kingdom. 'But you,' he says, 'are faithful and spiritual, and you are not in the flesh but in the spirit.' 2 Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 172 to Sophronius the Tribune 1 1 Cor 15.50 2 Rom 8.9

The Feast Of Dedication

Κἂν ἐν χειμῶναι ἐσμεν τῶν πολλῶν περιστάσεων, οὐ κωλυθησόμεθα ἐπιτελεῖν τὴν ἑορτὴν τῶν ἐγκαινίων ἐν τῇ Ἰερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ᾄδειν τῷ Κυρίῷ, καθά φησιν ὁ Δαυὶδ, ᾆσμα καινὸν, δηλαδὴ εὐαγγελικόν. Ἰερουσαλὴμ γὰρ νῦν νοείσθω μοι ἡ ψυχὴ, ἐν ᾗ ἐπιτελοῦμεν τὴν ἑορτὴν τῆς θεογνωσίας, καὶ παντοίας ἀρετῆς, διωθούμενοι μὲν τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον, ἐπαμφισκόμενοι δὲ τὸν νέον τὸν κατ' εἰκόνα, καὶ ὁμοίωσιν τοῦ Κυρίου κτισθέντα· Ἀνακαινσθήσεται γὰρ ὡς ἀετοῦ ἡ νεότης σου. Ἐγένετο οὖν, φησὶ, τὰ ἐγκαίνια ἐν Ἰεροσολύμοις, καὶ χειμὼν ἦν. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΣΜΒ' Σωσανδρῳ Πριμισκρινιῳ Source: Migne PG 79.172b

Even when we are in a winter of many trials it is not forbidden to celebrate the feast of the dedication in Jerusalem and to sing to the Lord a new song, as David said, which is clearly the Gospel. For now I think of Jerusalem as the soul in which we celebrate the feast of Divine knowledge and all virtue, 'casting off the old man and putting on the new one created according to the image and likeness of the Lord.' 'Your youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.' 'It was then the feast of dedication at Jerusalem,' he says, 'and it was winter.' 1 Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 242, to Sosandros the Primiscrinius 1 Colos 3.10, Ps 102.5, Jn 10.22

The Body And Death

Ταλαίπωρος ἐγὼ ἄνθρωπος, τίς με ῥύσεται ἐκ τοῦ σώματος τοῦ θανάτου τούτου; Οὐχὶ τὸ σῶμα θάνατον ὑπάρχειν ἀποφαίνεται ὁ θεῖος Ἀπόστολος, ἁλλὰ τὸν νόμον τῆς ἁμαρτίας τὸν ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν τοῦ σώματος ὄντα, διὰ τῆς ἐν τῷ Ἀδὰμ παραβάσεως φωλεύοντα ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ πρὸς τὸν θάνατον τῆς ἀδικίας τὴν ψυχὴν ἐπισπεύδοντα. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΣΜΘ’ Αιλιανῳ Ἀναγηωστῃ Source: Migne PG 79.173d

'I am a wretched man, who shall free me from this body of death?' 1 It is not that the blessed Apostle declares the body to be dead, but the law of sin which is in its members because of transgression, which was in Adam, and is hidden in us, and drives the unrighteous soul to ruin. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 249, To Aelianus The Reader 1 Rom 7.24

Escaping The Mouth

Ἔξεστιν ἐμπεσόντα τινὰ εἰς τοῦ θηρὸς στόμα, τοῦ διαβόλου φημὶ, ἀπολυθῆναι τούτου διὰ τῆς μετανοίας, καθάπερ λελύτρωται καὶ ἐῥῥύσθη ὁ ἐν Κορίνθῲ προφθαρεὶς τῇ μητρυιᾷ ἐκ φάρυγγος τοῠ ἐχθροῦ, πρὶν τῆ περισσοτέρᾳ λύπῃ καταποθεῖ, καὶ εἰς τὴν κοιλίαν χωρήσῃ τοῦ θηρίου διὰ τῆς ἀγεννσυς δυσθυμίας, καὶ τῆς ἀπογνώσεως. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΣΙΒ’ Ιγνατιῷ Ἀνθυπατῳ Source: Migne PG 79.161a

It is possible for one who has fallen into the mouth of the beast, I speak of the devil, to be released through repentance, as he was released and delivered from the jaws of the enemy who in Corinth associated with his step mother, 1 before he was absorbed by an excess of sorrow and a weak soul in despair and torment was engulfed by the bestial belly. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 212, to Ignatius the Proconsul 1 1 Cor 5.1

Prayer And Healing

Εὐξώμεθα ἐκτενῶς ἐκδιωχθῆναι τὴν λέπραν τὴν ψυχικὴν ἀπὸ τε τοῦ στήμονος, καὶ τῆς κρόκης, καὶ τοῦ δέρματος· στήμονος μὲν νοουμένου τοῦ νευρώδους μέρους τῆς Χριστιοῦ Ἐκκλησίας, ἐπισκόπων λέγω, καὶ ὅσοι τῆς Λευϊτικῆς ἀξίας τὰ γέρα καρπίζονται· κρόκης δὲ ἐκλαμβανομένης τοῦ εὐθυνομένου, καὶ ποιμαινομένου ὑπ' αὐτοῖς ἠγιασμένου λαοῦ, δέρματος δὲ νοουμένου τῶν νεωστὶ προσελθόντων τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ τέως κατηχουμένων, μή πως ἀποβεβληκότων διὰ τῆς ἀναγεννήσεως τοῦ ἁγίου βαπτίσματος τὴν νεκρότητα τῶν παλαιῶν τῆς ἁμαρτίας χιτώνων. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΣΜϚ' Ευφρασιῳ Ἐπισκοπῳ Source: Migne PG 79.173a

We should pray continually to be stripped of that leprosy which is spiritual, from the thread, the woof, and the skin. 1 The threads are to be thought of as the nerves of Christ , I speak of prelates who are adorned with Levitical dignity, and the warp is that which is taken up and guided and pastured by them, that is, the sanctified people. The skin are those who have recently come to God, and are yet catechumens, who have yet to dispose of their sins through regeneration by holy baptism from the old covering of death Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 246, To Euphrasius the Bishop 1 Levit 13.48

Mindfulness

Ὥσπερ ἀδιαλείπτωσ ἀναπνέομεν τὸν ἀέρα, οὕτως ἀδιαλείπτως ὀφείλομεν τὸν Κύριον αἰνεῖν τε καὶ ὑμνεῖν, κἂν ἑν μέσῳ πραγμάτων στρεφώμεθα. Δύναται γὰρ ὁ φρόνιμος, καὶ θεοφιλὴς νοῠς δηκενῶς μνήμην σώζειν τοῦ Κτίσαντος. Ἐμνήσθην γὰρ, φησὶν ὁ Δαυϊδ, τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ηὐφράνθην. Εἰ τοίνυν ἡ τοῦ Δεσπότου μνήμη εὐφροσύνην ἐμποιεῖ ταῖς ἡμετέραις ψυχαῖς, μὴ κατοκνήσωμεν ἀπολαύειν τῆς μνήμης τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΣΛΘ’ Σοσανρῳ Πριμασκρινιῳ Source: Migne PG 79.169d

As we continuously breathe air, so we should continuously sing and hymn the Lord, even when we are embroiled in worldly affairs. For it is possible for the prudent and pious mind to be continuously mindful of its Creator, as David says, 'I was mindful of God and I rejoiced.' 1 Thus if the memory of the Lord brings joy to our souls, let us not neglect to take joy in the remembrance of God. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 239, To Sosandros the Primiscrinius 1 Ps 76.4

Bringing Into Being

Εἰ τα μὴ ὄντα ποιεῖ γενέσθαι Θεὸς, καὶ τοῖς μηδαμοῦ μηδαμῶς φαινομένοις χαρίζεται τὸ εἴναι, πολλῷ μᾰλλον τὰ ὄντα ἀνορθώσασθαι δύναται. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΣΛϚ’ Σοφιανῳ Σκολαριῳ Source: Migne PG 79.169c

If God brings into being what is not, 1 and grants being to those things which appear to be nothing at all, how much more is He able to raise up the things which are? Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 236 to Sophianus the Scholarius 1 Rom 4.17

Hidden Work

Πολλὰ ὁ Θεὸς λαληθότως ἐργάζεται πρὸς τὸ συμφέρον ἡμῖν, κἂν σκυθρωπὰ δοκῇ τὰ συμπίπτοντα. Ἡμεῖς δὲ τὸν λόγον τῶν συμπτωμάτων οὐ πολυπραγονοῠμεν ὡς πιστοὶ καὶ γνήσιοι οἰκέται. Ἔν γὰρ μόνον χρὴ πεπεῖσθαι, ὅτι συμφερόντως, καὶ ὠφελίμως ἡμῖν ἄπαντα ἐπιφέρεται παρὰ τοῦ προνοητοῦ τῶν ἡμετέρων ψυχῶν, τὸν δὲ τρόπον μηκέτι ζητεῖν μήτε ἀγνοοῦντας ἀσχάλλειν καὶ ἀθυμεῖν· οὐ δὲ γὰρ λυσιτελεῖ τὸ ἐπίστασθι, τὸ μὲν διὰ τὸ θνητοὺς εἶναι, τὸ δὲ διὰ τὸ εὐκόλως πρὸς τῦφον ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἀπόνοιαν αἴρεσθαι. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΣΛΕ’ Εὐσεβιῳ Διακονῳ Source: Migne PG 79.170b

Most often the work of God is hidden for our benefit and what befalls seems sorrowful. We, however, as faithful and true sons should not be disquieted by being too curious regarding the causes of what happens. We should trust in one alone, whatever comes upon us, for everything usefully and profitably comes for the care of our souls. There is no way for us to seek it out, nor does being vexed or downcast by ignorance profit understanding, but rather since we are mortal we are easily puffed up by pride and by folly. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 235, to Eusebius the Deacon

Advancing In Wisdom

Νόμιζε μοι τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ σοφίαν μητέρα τινὰ εἶναι, καὶ νῦν μὲν τῷ νηπίῳ τὸν μαστὸν ἐπιδιδοῦσαν, καὶ βοῶσαν, Καλὸν, καλον, τοῦτό γε, εἶθ' ὕστερον πρὸς τὴν στερεὰν τροφὴν τὸν παῖδα ἐλαύνουσαν, καὶ χολῇ τὸν μαστὸν περιχρίουσαν, καὶ κράζουσαν συνεχῶς, Σαπρὸν, σαπρὸν τοῦτό γε. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΡΚϚ, Βενιαμιν Ἑβραιῳ Source: Migne PG 79.137a

Think, as I do, that the wisdom of God is something like a mother, who now gives her breast to the infant, saying, 'Good, this is good,' and later, so that the growing boy may take to solid food, she smears a bitter herb on the breast, and says to him, 'Bad, this is bad.' 1 Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 126, To Benjamin the Hebrew 1 cf 1 Cor 3.1-2

The Defects Of Anger

Ὁργὴ πὰθος ἐστι μανιῶδες, καὶ τοὺς ἔχοντας γνῶσιν ἐξίστησιν εὐχερῶς, θηριοῖ τὴν ψυχὴν, καὶ πᾶσαν συντυχίαν ἐκκλίνειν ποιεῖ. Ἄνεμος σφοδρὸς οὐ κινήσει πύρψον, καὶ ψυχὴν ἀόργητον οὐ συναρπάζει θυμός. Ὕδωρ κειεῖται ὑπὸ βίας ἀνέμων, καὶ θυμώδης ταράσσεται ὑπὸ λογισμῶν ἀσυνέτων. Μοναχὸς ὀργίλος εἶδέ τινα, καὶ τοὺς ὀδόντας παρέθηξεν. Ὀμίχλης ἀνάδοσις παχύνει ἀόρα, καὶ θυμοῦ κίνησις διάνοιαν ὀργίλου. Ἐσκότισεν ἥλιον ὑποδραμὼν νέφος, καὶ νοῦν λογισμὸς μνησικακίας. Λέων ἐν χωγρεῖῳ ὤν κινεῖ τοὺς στρόφιγγας συνεχῶς, καὶ θυμώδς ἐν κέλλῃ λογισμοὺς ὀργῆς. Τερπνὴ θεωρία, γαληῶσα θάλασσα, ἀλλ' οὐκ ἔστι τερπνοτερα εἰρηνικoς κᾶταστάσεως· γληνώσῃ γὰρ θαλάσσῃ ἐγκολυμβῶσι δελφίνες, εἰρηνικῇ δὲ καταστάει ἐννήχεται νοήματα θεοπρεπῆ. Μακρόθυμος μοναχὸς, ἠσυχάζουσα πηγὴ, καὶ πᾶσι παρέχουσα προσηνὲς ποτὸν, διάνοια δὲ ὀργίλου διὰ παντὸς τετάρακται καὶ οὐκ ἐπιδώσει τῷ διψῶτι ὕδωρ, κἂν ἐπιδώσῃ, τεθολωμένον, καὶ ἄχρηστον, καὶ ὀφθαλμοὶ θυμώδους τεταραγμένοι καὶ ὕφαιμοι, καὶ τῆς ταρασσομένες καρδίας ἄγγελοι. Πρόσωπον δὲ μακροθύμου ὀρθὰ κατεσταλμένον, καὶ ὀφθαλμοὶ προσηνεῖς κάτω βλέποντες. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Περὶ Των Οκτώ Πνευμάτων Της Πονηρίας, Κεφαλ. Θ’, Περὶ ὀργῆς Source: Migne PG 79.1153c-d

Anger is a maddening passion, and it easily estranges the minds of those who are knowledgeable and makes their souls feral so that they refuse all company. A strong wind will not shake a tower, and anger will not carry off a meek soul. Water is disturbed by violent winds, and the angry man by foolish thoughts. An angry monk is as a solitary bee of the forest, he sees someone and he grinds his teeth. Spreading cloud makes the air heavy and the coming of anger weighs down the soul of the irascible man. As the sun is obscured by clouds running beneath it, so is the mind that is mindful of injuries. A lion is continually turning about in his lair, likewise the angry thoughts of a man in his cell. The sight of a tranquil sea is delightful, but nothing is more delightful than a man at peace. Dolphins swim in calm seas, and the thoughts of a peaceful soul swim amid the grace of God. The long suffering monk is a quiet fountain that offers sweet waters to everyone, but the mind that is deeply troubled by anger does not offer water to the thirsty, nor shall it give any, but it spoils its sustenance and offers what is polluted. Eyes disturbed by anger are bloodshot and the voice that comes from the heart is confused, but the face of the long suffering man is rightly composed and his gentle eyes look upon all things kindly. Saint Nilus of Sinai, On the Eight Spiritual Faults, Chapter 9, On Anger

Seeds And Bodies

Γεγράφηκας, ὅτι Τὸν κόκκον τοῦ σίτου ἀλέσω, καὶ ποιήσω ἄλευρον. Κἂν μυριάκις σπείρω αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν γῆν, οὐκ ἔτι ζωογονεῖται, ἀλλ' οὐδ' ἐξανίσταται, οὐ μὴ βλαστήσει ποτὲ, οὐ μὴ καρποφορήσει· οὕτω δὴ καὶ τὸ σῶμα σποδιὰ καὶ κόνις γενόμενον, οὐκ ἂν δύναιτο ἔτι ἐξαναστῆναι, ἤ ζῆσαι παντάπασιν. Ἀλλ' ἐγώ σοι πᾴλιν καὶ νῦν τὰ αὐτὰ προσαγάγοιμι σύν πραότητι ῥήματα, ἄπερ καὶ πάλαι ἐπέσταλκα, ὅτι ὥσπερ τὴν ἀρχὴν ἐκ χοὸς ἄνθρωπος ἀνεδείχθη τῇ δυνάμει καὶ τῇ τέχνῇ τοῦ πανσόφου καὶ πάντα ἰσχύοντος Κυρίου, οὕτω καὶ ἐν τῷ τέλει τοῦ παρόντος αἰῶνος ἐκ τῆς σποδιᾶς γενήσεται ἡ ἀνάστασις τοῦ ἐφθαρμένου σώματος, καὶ ἐξαναστήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ζωοποιηθείς τε καὶ ψυχωθεὶς, τὴν μὲν προλαβοῦσαν φθορὰν ἀποτιναξαμενος, ἐπενδυσάμενος δὲ τὴν θείαν ἀφθαρσίαν. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΡΙΑ' Ἀφονιῳ Σαμαριτῃ Source: Migne PG 79.129d-132a

You have written that wheat seed is ground down and made into flour, and that when thousands of seeds are sown in the earth, not all survive, and not all shoot up, and not all bud, and not all produce fruit, and likewise it is for this body of dust and ash, that there cannot be a wholesale raising up and living. But again I exhort you, even now the same things with meek words, that this has been told of old, for as the power and wise art of the almighty Lord took man from the earth in the beginning, 1 so even in the end of present things He shall fashion the resurrection of this body of dust and raise man up with life and soul, and that with the old corruption cast off, endowed with the Divine incorruption. 2 Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 111, to Aphthonius the Samaritan 1 Gen 2.7 2 1 Cor 15.42, 53-54

Words And Silence

Ἐπειδὴ οὐ μικρὸν κακὸν, τοῖς εἰκῆ καὶ μάτην φλυαροῦσιν ὑπάρχει τῆς γλώττης ἡ ὀξύτης, τοῦτου χάριν ἀντὶ θύρας, καὶ μοχλοῦ τὴν σιωπὴν τίθησην ὁ ἅγιας Μωϋσης· διὰ γὰρ τοῦτο δύο εἰλήφαμεν ὤτα, μίαν δὲ γλῶσσαν, ἴνα πλείονα ἀκούωμεν πρὸς σωτηρίαν, ἤπερ λαλοῦμεν, διὰ πράξεων ἀγαθῶν μᾶλλον βοῶντες, καὶ θείων κατορθωμτων. Καλῶς οὖν αὐτός τε ο Μωϋσης, καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς, καὶ οἱ Λευῖται, παντὶ τῷ Ἰσραὴλ ἀπεστέλλοντο λέγοντες· Σιώπα, Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἄλουε τὰ λόγια Κυρίου. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΣΟΖ’, Ἡρακλειτῳ Σκολαστικῳ Source: Migne PG 79.184c

Since it is not a little evil, as a door and bar, Moses demands silence from those who recklessly and vainly talk nonsense with an eager tongue, for being in possession of two ears and one tongue, we should hear much more for our salvation than speak, 1 and rather have our crying out done through good works and Divine deeds. Rightly, therefore, Moses sent off the priests and Levites, and all Israel, saying, 'Be silent, Israel, and hear the words of God.' 2 Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 277, to Heraclitus the Scholar 1 cf Diogenes Laertius 7.1.23, on Zeno of Citium 2 Deut 27.9