EXHORTATION TO MONKS
A Fasting cuts off the intemperance of foods, and continence with prayer amputates the lasciviousness of fornication. Poverty restrains avarice, the mother of idolatry, and hope, which is cast upon God, cuts off fleshly solicitude. The reading of divine oracles and vigil with prayer coerce an errant mind. And long-suffering and the singing of psalms mitigate the invasion of anger. Constancy and tears repress sluggishness, and worldly sorrow is quieted by hatred for pleasures.
Humility and aversion to the love of principality and eminence obtain hospitality; but immense humility—which says, "I am earth and ashes" (Gen. xviii, 27), and again, "Except the Lord build the house, in vain has he labored who builds it" (Ps. cxxvi, 1), and he who endeavors to keep it—causes pride, that ancient evil, abominable in the sight of the Lord, which even God resists, to cease.
B As water defiled with dregs cannot be purified unless it remains still, so neither can the state of a monk be known without quiet. As it is impossible for a contestant to be crowned unless he has exercised in the struggle, so one cannot be a Christian without struggles. Just as a balance is not equal when one side outweighs the other, so it is not possible for the commandment of God to be prosperously performed when the fleshly mind predominates. C
As it is not possible to learn a craft without studying it diligently, so it is not possible to acquire prayer without persevering in God with an upright heart. Whoever has not obtained pure prayer has no armor for the war. He who is adorned, and as if swept clean, with the virtues of God cast out, will be a habitation of demons.
Instruction for Monks
A As it is not possible for a king to dwell in the house of a poor man, so Christ will not dwell in a soul defiled by sin.
As an uncultivated place is tamed by careful labor, so a soul that has become wild through sins is tamed if it is governed by the law of God.
As a rock in the sea remains firm and unshaken, being struck by the waves, so also he who has attained the virtues, and has become entirely mingled with them, shall not be shaken by the devil.
As a physician devises medicine for the healing of a malady, so too the knowledge of God, when guarded, teaches him who partakes of it how he may be preserved and how he may advance to greater things.
B As a torrent makes a path for itself in a precipitous place, so also sin, when it is admitted, works the destruction of him who possesses it.
As it is not possible for a deer that has fallen into nets to escape easily, so he who fulfills his desires and lives in this world will not flee from sin; for evil desires and pleasures are chains that are difficult to loosen.
As a vine that does not produce good fruit is cut down, so that it may not occupy the place in vain, so also will everyone who does not produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit be uprooted by the Lord.
As it is impossible for a man struck by a dart not to be harmed, so it is impossible for a monk who admits an evil thought not to be wounded.
C As he who wanders out of the straight road strays in a foreign land, not knowing where he is going, so also a man goes astray who does not believe in the consubstantial Trinity.
As someone divided into many parts is still one by nature, so also the holy Trinity, even if it is distinguished by names and subsistences, is one in nature. You would not grasp the nature of God, not even if you were flying with wings; God is incomprehensible, and therefore He is our Creator.
As a vessel being fashioned ignores the origin and the nature of the potter, so also man will not be able to discover the nature or origin of God.
Do not be a busybody regarding the Trinity, but only believe and worship; for he who is a busybody does not believe.
D Acquire wisdom and not silver; make for yourselves the luminous garment of Christ our Lord, more than any garment of fine linen, because riches will be of no benefit on the day of death.
As fire consumes a thicket, so will every sinner be consumed by the eternal fire, and he cannot die; for he will be tortured immortally.
It is nothing great if we become righteous, for since we were created by God first, very good, we will become this.
He who lives contrary to nature does not keep the commandments of God. A All wisdom is to fear the Lord; but all instruction that does not teach the law of the Lord is foolishness and lack of understanding. Faith and baptism will not deliver from the eternal fire without works of justice. For if you are of the same order and rank as Christ, keep His commandments; and if you believe in things to come, strive for the eternal glory, and fear the flaming sword; but if you do not rightly keep the precepts of God, do not call yourself a believer. Every creature obeys the precept of God; man alone does not obey Him, for whose sake all things were made. We shall provide nothing to God if we keep ourselves chaste, but we shall procure for ourselves life and the ineffable enjoyment of eternal goods. B Do not say: "I cannot keep the divine commandment, either because of my father, or because of my mother, or because of my wife, or because of my children, or because of anyone else"; for they will not deliver you from the impending wrath and the worm that never dies. And let everyone who opposes you in the attainment of God and of virtues be execrable and hateful to you; with such a person, it is not even good to eat.
OF THE SAME HOLY FATHER OURS, NILUS Sentences drawing man away from corruptible things, and uniting him to incorruptible ones.
1. C The way to virtue is good and short: the flight from the world. 2. He who desires incorruptible things should count corruptible ones as nothing. 3. If you truly desire life, always await human death. 4. Hate the present life, for you see its wheel being turned in disorder. 5. Do not desire good things whose use passes away and whose possession perishes. 6. Laugh at those who fare well, and sympathize with those who fare poorly; for the latter brings a reward, while the former promotes wisdom.