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Poemen Quotes

340–450 Egypt

Abba Poemen (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).

Egypt

Random Poemen quote

14 quotes

'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?'

We have not been taught to kill our bodies, but to kill our passions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Poemen (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.