Poemen Quotes

Ward: "Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart."

Ward: Abba Poemen said that a brother who lived with some other brothers asked Abba Bessarion, "What ought I to do?"
The old man said to him, "Keep silence and do not always be comparing yourself with others."

Ward: A brother going to market asked Abba Poemen, "How do you advise me to behave?"
The old man said to him, "Make friends with anyone who tries to bully you and sell your produce in peace."

Ward: "If you take little account of yourself, you will have peace, wherever you live."

Ward: Abba Poemen said, "Do not judge yourself, but live with someone who knows how to behave himself properly."

Ward: [Abba Poemen] also said, "The first time flee; the second time, flee; and the third, become like a sword."

Ward: "Even if a man were to make a new heaven and earth, he could not live free of care."

Ward: A brother asked Abba Poemen, "Can a man keep all his thoughts in control, and not surrender one to the enemy?"
And the old man said to him, "There are some who receive ten and give one."

Ward: "The victory over all the afflictions that befall you, is, to keep silence."

Ward: Abba Poemen said, "Teach your mouth to say what is in your heart."

Ward: Abba Isaac came to see Abba Poemen and found him washing his feet. As he enjoyed freedom of speech with him he said, "How is it that others practice austerity and treat their bodies hardly?"
Abba Poemen said to him, "We have not been taught to kill our bodies, but to kill our passions."

Ward: Abba Poemen said, "If a man has sinned and denies it, saying: 'I have not sinned,' do not reprimand him; for that will discourage him.
But say to him, 'Do not lose heart, brother, but be on guard in future,' and you will stir his soul to repentance."

Ward: A brother asked Abba Poemen, "How should I behave in the place where I live?"
The old man said, "Have the mentality of an exile in the place where you live, do not desire to be listened to and you will have peace."

Ward: Abba Poemen said, "If I am in a place where there are enemies, I become a soldier."

Ward: "If you are silent, you will have peace wherever you live."