Isaiah the Solitary

"Abba Isaiah said: “Nothing benefits a beginner as much as an insult. A beginner who is insulted like that and tolerates it is like a tree that is watered each day.”"

"The same Abba Isaiah called one of the brothers and washed his feet, then he threw a handful of lentils in a pot and served them when it came to the boil. The brother said to him: “It is not yet cooked, abba,” and he said to him: “Is it not enough for you that it saw the bright [flame] totally? That is great consolation.”"

"If you do your manual labor, do not be negligent, but apply yourself with the fear of God, in order not to sin by ignorance."

"Someone also asked [Isaiah]: “What is it to live in peace within the cell?”"

"If you ask an old man about a “thought,” freely disclose the “thought” to him if you know that he is worthy of confidence and that he will keep confidential what you have said to him."

"If your brother has prepared a dish that is not good, don't say to him: “You cooked it wrong!” For that is death for your soul. Rather, examine yourself. If it had been you who had heard that from someone else, how you would have been troubled by it!"

"If you do something wrong in some matter, do not be steered by shame, but be converted and say, “Forgive me,” and your fault will pass away."

"Love humility, and it will protect you from your sins."

"Think each day: “I have only today to live in the world,” and you will not sin against God."

"Love to pray without ceasing, so that your heart will be enlightened."