"472. Εἶπεν γέρων· Ἐὰν ἴδῃς τινὰ ἐμπεσόντα εἰς ὕδωρ καὶ δύνασαι αὐτῷ βοηθῆσαι, χάλασον αὐτῷ τὴν ῥάβδον καὶ ἕλκυσον αὐτόν. Καὶ ἐὰν μὴ δυνηθῇς ἑλκύσαι αὐτόν, κατάλιπε αὐτῷ τὴν ῥάβδον σου. Ἐὰν δὲ αὐτῷ δώσῃς τὴν χεῖρα σου καὶ μὴ δυνηθῇς ἑλκύσαι αὐτόν, ἕλκει σε αὐτὸς κάτω καὶ ἀμφότεροι ἀποθανεῖσθε. Τοῦτο δὲ ἔλεγεν πρὸς τοὺς ἐμβάλλοντας ἑαυτοὺς βοηθῆσαι τινὶ ἐν πειρασμοῖς ὑπὲρ τὸ μέτρον ἑαυτῶν."

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Added on April 10, 2026
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ProverbsChristian textsMonasticismDesert Fathers
Original Language: English

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An elder said: “If you see somebody who has fallen into the water and you can help him, reach out your staff to him and pull him out. If you cannot pull him out, leave him your staff. If you give him your hand and cannot pull him out, he pulls you down and both of you will die.” This he said to those who thrust themselves forward to help somebody in temptations beyond their capacity.