Desert Mothers

"The same Amma Theodora also said: “A devout person was once reviled by somebody and he said to him: ‘I too could have said the same to you but the law of God closes my mouth.’” She used to say this too: “A Christian having a discussion with a Manichaean about the body spoke thus: ‘Impose the law on the body and you shall see that the body [belongs] to the Creator.’”"

"She also said: “Just as it is not possible to be at once both plant and seed, so is it impossible for us to produce heavenly fruit with earthly glory lying all around us.”"

"She also said: “Just as a ship cannot be built without nails, so is it impossible to be saved without humble-mindedness.”"