"Abba Theodore of Phermē possessed three fine books. Visiting Abba Macarius, he said to him: “I have three fine books and I benefit from them; the brothers borrow them and benefit too. Tell me what I ought to have done. Am I to keep them for my benefit and the brothers’ or sell them and give [the proceeds] to the poor?” In answer the elder said: “Deeds are good, but indifference to possessions is greater than all.” On hearing this he went and sold them, donating the proceeds to the poor."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Saying 1
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Theodore_of_Pherme
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Theodore of Pherme
Abba was one of the Desert Fathers quoted in the Apophthegmata Patrum (Sayings of the Desert Fathers).
2 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Theodore of Pherme →
Related Quotes
"They used to say of Abba Theodore of Phermē that he exceeded many in these three points: indifference to possessions,…"
"This same norm of Apostolic doctrine is firmly maintained by his (Peter's) successors, of him to whom the Lord entrus…"
"Ruris enim quaecunque datur possessio, seu sit Putris harenoso qua torpet glarea tractu, Seu pingui molita graves uli…"
"Vel qualis manibus quondam suspensa supinis Lucet agens circum lomenti bulla salivam, Ante recens maceretur aquis qua…"
"Non patitur cunctas angustia carminis huius Pulei virtutes celeri comprendere versu. Hoc apud Indorum tanti constare …"
"Quae rara sub isto Axe videre soles, aliis in partibus horum Copia tanta iacet, quantam vilissima tecum Efficiunt; ru…"
"Haec quia non Tyrio Germania tingitur ostro, Lata nec ardenti se Gallia murice iactat, Lutea purpurei reparat crement…"
"O mater virgo, fecundo germine mater, Virga fide intacta, sponsi de nomine sponsa, Sponsa, columba, domus, regina, fi…"
"Richard S. Lambert, trans. Hortulus, or, The Little Garden (Wembley, Middx: The Stanton Press, 1924)"
"Raef Payne, trans. Hortulus (Pittsburgh, PA: Hunt Botanical Library, 1966)"