Top 15 Poemen Quotes

Egyptian monk and desert father

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Abba (c. 340–450) was an Egyptian Christian monk and early Desert Father who is the most quoted Abba (Father) in the Apophthegmata Patrum (Sayings of the Desert Fathers).

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How much joy, how much peace of soul would a man not have wherever he went, as Abba Poemen says, if he was one who habitually accused himself?

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

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 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, "Teach your mouth to say what is in your heart."

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: Abba Poemen said to Abba Isaac, "Let go of a small part of your righteousness and in a few days you will be at peace."

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

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: He also said concerning Abba Pior that every day he made a new beginning.

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

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

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