Sophia Scriptura

Sayings of the Desert Fathers (alphabetical collection) 125.1–126.15

Anonymous · Sayings of the Desert Fathers (alphabetical collection) · compiled ca. 450-500 (sayings 4th-5th century) · place unknown · 16 passages

Authorship disputed: Anonymous collection of sayings and stories of the Egyptian desert monks of the 4th and 5th centuries, arranged by the Greek alphabet of the monks' names and compiled in its present form in the late 5th or 6th century. The sayings are attributed to the named monks and were handed down orally and in smaller collections; the compiler is unknown.

Greek text: PG 65.English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).

Chapter 125

125.1PG 65:435–437

Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ψενθαΐσιος καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σοῦρος καὶ Ψώϊος, ὅτι Ἀκούοντες τῶν λόγων τοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παχωμίου μεγάλως ὠφελούμεθα, εἰς ζῆλον ἀγαθῶν ἔργων διεγειρόμενοι. Ὁρῶντες δὲ αὐτοῦ καὶ σιωπῶντος τὴν πρᾶξιν λόγον οὖσαν, ἐθαυμάζομεν, πρὸς ἀλλήλους λέγοντες, ὅτι Ἐνομίζομεν πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους οὕτως πεποιεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτῶν ἁγίους καὶ ἀτρέπτους, καὶ οὐχὶ αὐτεξουσίους· καὶ τοὺς ἁμαρτωλοὺς μὴ δυναμένους ζῇν εὐσεβῶς, διὰ τὸ οὕτως κτισθῆναι αὐτούς. Ἄρτι δὲ βλέπομεν τὴν ἀγαθότητα τοῦ Θεοῦ φανερῶς ἐπὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν τούτου ὅτι ἐξ Ἑλλήνων γονέων ὢν, τοσοῦτον θεοσεβὴς γέγονε, καὶ πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐνδεδυμένος ἐστίν. Οὐκοῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς δυνάμεθα καὶ πάντες ἀκολουθῆσαι αὐτῷ, ἀνθ' ὧν ἀκολουθεῖ τοῖς ἁγίοις. Ἄ̓́ρα τὸ γεγραμμένον τοῦτό ἐστι· Δεῦτε πρὸς μὲ, πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς. Συναποθάνωμεν οὖν καὶ συζήσωμεν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τούτῳ, ὅτι ὀρθῶς ὁδηγεῖ ἡμᾶς πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.

Eipen ho abbas Psenthaïsios kai ho abbas Souros kai Psōïos, hoti Akouontes tōn logōn tou Patros hēmōn tou abba Pachōmiou megalōs ōpheloumetha, eis zēlon agathōn ergōn diegeiromenoi. Horōntes de autou kai siōpōntos tēn praxin logon ousan, ethaumazomen, pros allēlous legontes, hoti Enomizomen pantas tous hagious houtōs pepoieisthai hypo tou Theou ek koilias mētros autōn hagious kai atreptous, kai ouchi autexousious; kai tous hamartōlous mē dynamenous zę̄n eusebōs, dia to houtōs ktisthēnai autous. Arti de blepomen tēn agathotēta tou Theou phanerōs epi tou Patros hēmōn toutou hoti ex Hellēnōn goneōn ōn, tosouton theosebēs gegone, kai pasas tas entolas tou Theou endedymenos estin. Oukoun kai hēmeis dynametha kai pantes akolouthēsai autǭ, anth' hōn akolouthei tois hagiois. Ara to gegrammenon touto esti; Deute pros me, pantes hoi kopiōntes kai pephortismenoi, kagō anapausō hymas. Synapothanōmen oun kai syzēsōmen tǭ anthrōpǭ toutǭ, hoti orthōs hodēgei hēmas pros ton Theon.

Abba Psenthaisius and abba Sourus and Psoius said, “Hearing the words of our father abba Pachomius, we were greatly helped, roused to zeal for good works. And seeing that even when he was silent his conduct was a word, we marveled, saying to one another, ‘We thought that all the saints had been made by God holy and unchangeable from their mother’s womb, and not free; and that sinners could not live devoutly, because they had been created so. But now we see the goodness of God clearly in this father of ours: that though born of pagan parents, he has become so God-fearing and is clothed with all the commandments of God. So we too can, and all can, follow him, since he follows the saints. Truly this is what is written: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” So let us die with this man and live with him, for he leads us rightly to God.’”

Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.

Matt 11:28 (quotation, high confidence) · 2 Tim 2:11 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Pachomius’s disciples see in their pagan-born father proof that holiness is open to all who choose it.

  • Variant notes inside a word are removed. The disciples reject the view that saints and sinners are made so by nature, affirming free will (αὐτεξούσιος). Quotation of Matt 11:28; cf. 2 Tim 2:11.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR: wrong accent; variant notes (“Al.”) inside a split word): δυναμέ ΑΙ. Φορτᾶ. ΑΙ. Χαμαί. ΑΙ. Ψανταίου. ΑΙ. Ψενθαήσιος. νους → δυναμένους; τοῦτὸ ἐστι → τοῦτό ἐστι.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 125.1 (PG 65:435–437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

Chapter 126

126.0PG 65:437

Ω.

Ō.

[Ō.]

Notes and citation

Summary: The letter heading (Omega) of the printed collection, before the sayings of abba Hor.

  • The letter Ω is the heading of the last section of the alphabetical collection.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.0 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-0). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-0

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.1PG 65:437

Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου, ὅτι ἦσαν βάλλοντες πηλὸν εἰς κελλίον καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους, ὅτι Ἐὰν ἐπισκέψηται ἡμᾶς ἄρτι ὁ Θεὸς, τί ποιοῦμεν Καὶ κλαύσαντες ἀφῆκαν τὸν πηλὸν, καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν ὁ ἕκαστος εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ.

Elegon peri tou abba Hōr kai tou abba Theodōrou, hoti ēsan ballontes pēlon eis kellion kai eipon pros allēlous, hoti Ean episkepsētai hēmas arti ho Theos, ti poioumen Kai klausantes aphēkan ton pēlon, kai anechōrēsen ho hekastos eis to kellion autou.

They said of abba Hor and abba Theodore that they were putting mud on a cell, and they said to one another, “If God were to visit us now, what would we do?” And weeping, they left the mud, and each withdrew to his cell.

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor and Theodore abandon their building work, weeping at the thought of God’s sudden visitation.

Topics: Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.1 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.2PG 65:437

Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ, ὅτι οὔτε ἐψεύσατό ποτε, οὔτε ὤμοσεν, οὔτε κατηράσατο ἄνθρωπον, οὔτε ἐκτὸς ἀνάγκης ἐλάλησεν.

Elegon peri tou abba Hōr, hoti oute epseusato pote, oute ōmosen, oute katērasato anthrōpon, oute ektos anankēs elalēsen.

They said of abba Hor that he never lied, nor swore, nor cursed anyone, nor spoke without necessity.

Matt 5:34 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor never lied, swore, cursed, or spoke needlessly.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.2 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.3PG 65:437

Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ Παύλῳ Βλέπε, μηδέποτε ἀλλότριον λόγον ἐνέγκῃς εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦτο.

Elegen ho abbas Hōr tǭ mathētę̄ autou Paulǭ Blepe, mēdepote allotrion logon enenkę̄s eis to kellion touto.

Abba Hor said to his disciple Paul, “See that you never bring an alien word into this cell.”

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor forbids worldly talk in his cell.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.3 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.4PG 65:437

Ἀπῆλθέ ποτε Παῦλος ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ ἀγοράσαι θαλλία, καὶ εὗρεν ὅτι ἄλλοι προέλαβον, καὶ ἔδωκαν ἀῤῥαβῶνα. Οὐδέποτε γὰρ ἀῤῥαβῶνα ἐδίδου ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὢρ εἰς τί ποτε, ἀλλὰ τῷ καιρῷ ἀπέστελλε τὸ τίμημα, καὶ ἠγόραζεν. Ἀπῆλθεν οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς ἄλλον τόπον διὰ βαΐα· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ κηπουρός· Τίς ποτε ἔδωκέ μοι ἀῤῥαβῶνα, καὶ οὐκ ἔτι ἦλθε· λάβε οὖν τὰ βαῖα σύ. Καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὰ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ταῦτα. Καὶ ὡς ἤκουσεν ὁ γέρων, ἔκρουσεν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Ὁ Ὥρ οὐκ ἐργάζεται ἐφ᾿ ἔτος Καὶ οὐκ ἀφῆκε τὰ βαῖα ἔσω, ἕως ἀπήνεγκεν αὐτὰ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν.

Apēlthe pote Paulos ho mathētēs tou abba Hōr agorasai thallia, kai heuren hoti alloi proelabon, kai edōkan arrhabōna. Oudepote gar arrhabōna edidou ho abbas Ōr eis ti pote, alla tǭ kairǭ apestelle to timēma, kai ēgorazen. Apēlthen oun ho mathētēs autou kai eis allon topon dia baïa; kai legei autǭ ho kēpouros; Tis pote edōke moi arrhabōna, kai ouk eti ēlthe; labe oun ta baia sy. Kai labōn auta ēlthe pros ton geronta, kai anēngeilen autǭ tauta. Kai hōs ēkousen ho gerōn, ekrousen eis tas cheiras autou, legōn; Ho Hōr ouk ergazetai eph᾿ etos Kai ouk aphēke ta baia esō, heōs apēnenken auta eis ton topon autōn.

Once Paul, the disciple of abba Hor, went to buy palm leaves, and found that others had got there first and given a deposit. For abba Hor never gave a deposit for anything, but at the time he sent the price and bought. So his disciple went to another place for palm branches; and the gardener says to him, “Someone gave me a deposit and has not come back; so you take the palm branches.” And taking them he came to the old man and told him this. When the old man heard it, he struck his hands together, saying, “Hor does not work this year.” And he did not let the palm branches inside until he had taken them back to their place.

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor refuses palm leaves another buyer had reserved, preferring to go without work for a year.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.4 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-4

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.5PG 65:437–439

Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ· Εἰ ὁρᾷς με λογισμὸν ἔχοντα κατὰ τινὸς, γίνωσκε ὅτι καὶ αὐτὸς τὸν αὐτὸν ἔχει εἰς ἐμέ. σ'. Ἦν τις κώμης ἐν τοῖς μέρεσι τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ, Λογγίνος καλούμενος, καὶ πολλὰς ἐλεημοσύνας ἐποίει· καὶ παραβαλόντι τινὶ τῶν Πατέρων, παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ἕνα ἄρῃ αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ωρ. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν πρὸς τὸν γέροντα ὁ μοναχὸς ἐνεκωμίαζε τὸν κώμητα, ὅτι καλός ἐστι, καὶ πολλὰς ἐλεημοσύνας ποιεῖ. Καὶ νοήσας ὁ γέρων, λέγει· καλός ἐστιν. Ἥρξατο οὖν ὁ μοναχὸς παρακαλεῖν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Συγχώρησον αὐτὸν ἀββᾶ, ἵνα ἔλθῃ καὶ ἴδῃ σε. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπε· Φύσει οὐ περνᾷ τὴν φάραγγα ταύτην, καὶ βλέπει με.

Eipen ho abbas Hōr; Ei horąs me logismon echonta kata tinos, ginōske hoti kai autos ton auton echei eis eme. s'. Ēn tis kōmēs en tois meresi tou abba Hōr, Longinos kaloumenos, kai pollas eleēmosynas epoiei; kai parabalonti tini tōn Paterōn, parekalesen auton hena arę̄ auton pros ton abban Ōr. Apelthōn oun pros ton geronta ho monachos enekōmiaze ton kōmēta, hoti kalos esti, kai pollas eleēmosynas poiei. Kai noēsas ho gerōn, legei; kalos estin. Hērxato oun ho monachos parakalein auton, legōn; Synchōrēson auton abba, hina elthę̄ kai idę̄ se. Kai apokritheis ho gerōn eipe; Physei ou perną tēn pharanga tautēn, kai blepei me.

Abba Hor said, “If you see me holding a thought against someone, know that he too holds the same against me.” [6] There was a count in abba Hor’s region, called Longinus, and he gave many alms; and when one of the Fathers visited him, he begged him to take him to abba Hor. So the monk went to the old man and praised the count, that he was good and gave many alms. And the old man, perceiving it, says, “He is good.” So the monk began to beg him, saying, “Allow him, abba, to come and see you.” And the old man answered, “Truly he will not cross this ravine and see me.”

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor says ill feeling is always mutual; and he refuses to receive a charitable count.

  • The scan runs Hor 6 (its numeral misread as σʹ) into this saying; marked [6]. A stray line from another saying (asking a monastery to suspend its alms for a year) is removed. κώμης is taken as κόμης, “count.”

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (stray line from another saying inside a split word): αὐἀββᾶ, ἐφ᾿ ἔτος μὴ παράσχῃς τὴν κατὰ καιρὸν συνἡθειαν τοῖς πτωχοῖς, ἵνα μὴ στενωθῇ τὸ μοναστήριον. τὸν → αὐτὸν.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.5 (PG 65:437–439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-5

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.6PG 65:439

Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης τὸν ἀββᾶν Ὥρ, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι λόγον. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἔχεις πίστιν εἰς ἐμέ Καὶ εἶπε· Ναί. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, καὶ ὁ ἑώρακάς με ποιοῦντα, ποίησον καὶ σύ. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Τί ὁρῶ, Πάτερ, εἰς σέ; Ἔφη δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Ὁ λογισμός μου κατώτερός ἐστι πάντων ἀνθρώπων.

Ērōtēsen ho abbas Sisoēs ton abban Hōr, legōn; Eipe moi logon. Kai eipen autǭ; Echeis pistin eis eme Kai eipe; Nai. Eipen oun autǭ; Hypage, kai ho heōrakas me poiounta, poiēson kai sy. Kai eipen autǭ Ti horō, Pater, eis se? Ephē de autǭ ho gerōn, hoti Ho logismos mou katōteros esti pantōn anthrōpōn.

Abba Sisoes asked abba Hor, saying, “Tell me a word.” And he said to him, “Do you have faith in me?” And he said, “Yes.” So he said to him, “Go, and what you have seen me do, do yourself too.” And he said to him, “What do I see in you, father?” The old man said to him, “My thought is lower than all men.”

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor tells Sisoes to imitate him in thinking himself lowest of all.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.6 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-6

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.8PG 65:439

Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου, ὅτι ἦσαν βάλλοντες ἀρχὰς ἀγαθὰς, καὶ εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ Θεῷ διαπαντός.

Elegon peri tou abba Hōr kai tou abba Theodōrou, hoti ēsan ballontes archas agathas, kai eucharistountes tǭ Theǭ diapantos.

They said of abba Hor and abba Theodore that they were always making good beginnings and giving thanks to God continually.

1 Thess 5:18 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor and Theodore always began anew and gave thanks.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.8 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-8

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.9PG 65:439

Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ· Στέφανός ἐστι μοναχοῦ ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη.

Eipen ho abbas Hōr; Stephanos esti monachou hē tapeinophrosynē.

Abba Hor said, “Humility is the monk’s crown.”

Notes and citation

Summary: Humility is the monk’s crown.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.9 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-9

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.10PG 65:439

Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὁ πλέον τῆς ἀξίας τιμώμενος ἢ ἐπαινούμενος πολὺ ζημιοῦται· ὁ δὲ μηδὲ ὅλως τιμώμενος ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἄνωθεν δοξασθήσεται.

Eipe palin; Ho pleon tēs axias timōmenos ē epainoumenos poly zēmioutai; ho de mēde holōs timōmenos hypo tōn anthrōpōn anōthen doxasthēsetai.

He also said, “One who is honored or praised beyond his worth is greatly harmed; but one who is not honored at all by men will be glorified from above.”

Notes and citation

Summary: Undeserved honor harms; the unhonored are glorified by God.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR: word split): τιμώ μενος → τιμώμενος.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.10 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-10). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-10

BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-apophthegmata-alphabetica-126-10) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.11PG 65:439

Πάλιν εἶπεν· Ὅταν λογισμὸς ὑψηλοφροσύνης ἢ ὑπερηφανίας ὑπεισέλθοι σοι, ἐρεύνα σου τὸ συνειδὸς, εἰ πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ἐφύλαξας, εἰ ἀγαπᾶς τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, καὶ λυπῇ ἐπὶ τῇ ἐλαττώσει αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔχεις ἑαυτὸν δοῦλον ἀχρεῖον, καὶ πάντων ἁμαρτωλότερον· καὶ τότε μηδὲ οὕτως μέγα φρονήσῃς, ὡς πάντα κατορθώσας· εἰδὼς ὅτι οὗτος ὁ λογισμὸς πάντα καταλύει.

Palin eipen; Hotan logismos hypsēlophrosynēs ē hyperēphanias hypeiselthoi soi, ereuna sou to syneidos, ei pasas tas entolas ephylaxas, ei agapas tous echthrous sou, kai lypę̄ epi tę̄ elattōsei autōn, kai echeis heauton doulon achreion, kai pantōn hamartōloteron; kai tote mēde houtōs mega phronēsę̄s, hōs panta katorthōsas; eidōs hoti houtos ho logismos panta katalyei.

Again he said, “When a thought of haughtiness or pride steals into you, search your conscience: whether you have kept all the commandments, whether you love your enemies and grieve at their loss, and hold yourself an unprofitable servant and more sinful than all; and then do not think so highly of yourself as though you had achieved everything, knowing that this thought destroys everything.”

Luke 17:10 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 5:44 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Answer proud thoughts by examining whether one has truly kept every commandment.

  • A phrase belonging to the next saying is moved there. Cf. Luke 17:10; Matt 5:44.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (words displaced from the end of the next saying (restored there)): ἁμαρτίας μου ταῦτα συμβαίνει μοι. → .

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.11 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-11). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-11

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.12PG 65:439

Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐν παντὶ πειρασμῷ μὴ μέμφου ἄνθρωπον, ἀλλὰ σεαυτὸν μόνον, λέγων, ὅτι Διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου ταῦτα συμβαίνει μοι.

Eipe palin; En panti peirasmǭ mē memphou anthrōpon, alla seauton monon, legōn, hoti Dia tas hamartias mou tauta symbainei moi.

He also said, “In every temptation do not blame a man, but yourself only, saying, ‘These things happen to me because of my sins.’”

Notes and citation

Summary: In every trial blame yourself and your sins, not others.

  • The end of the saying, displaced in the scan to the end of the previous saying, is restored.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR: doubled letter; words displaced by the OCR into the previous saying restored (same words as in the scan)): πειρασμῷῷ → πειρασμῷ; λέγων, ὅτι Διὰ τὰς → λέγων, ὅτι Διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου ταῦτα συμβαίνει μοι..

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.12 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-12). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-12

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.13PG 65:439

Πάλιν εἶπε· Μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου κατὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, λέγων, ὅτι Νηφαλιώτερός εἰμι καὶ ἀσκητικώτερος· ἀλλ᾽ ὑποτάσσου τῇ χάριτι τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν πνεύματι πτωχείας καὶ ἀγάπης ἀνυποκρίτου, ἵνα μὴ πνεύματι καυχήσεως περιπέσῃς, καὶ ἀπολέσῃς σου τὸν κόπον. Γέγραπται γάρ· Ὁ δοκῶν ἐστάναι, βλεπέτω μὴ πέσῃ. "Αλατι δὲ ἠρτυμένος ἔσο ἐν Κυρίῳ.

Palin eipe; Mē eipę̄s en tę̄ kardią sou kata tou adelphou sou, legōn, hoti Nēphaliōteros eimi kai askētikōteros; all᾽ hypotassou tę̄ chariti tou Christou en pneumati ptōcheias kai agapēs anypokritou, hina mē pneumati kauchēseōs peripesę̄s, kai apolesę̄s sou ton kopon. Gegraptai gar; Ho dokōn estanai, blepetō mē pesę̄. "Alati de ērtymenos eso en Kyriǭ.

Again he said, “Do not say in your heart against your brother, ‘I am more sober and more ascetic’; but submit to the grace of Christ in a spirit of poverty and unfeigned love, so that you may not fall into a spirit of boasting and lose your labor. For it is written, ‘Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.’ Be seasoned with salt in the Lord.”

1 Cor 10:12 (quotation, high confidence) · Col 4:6 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Hor warns against comparing oneself favorably to a brother, lest one fall through boasting.

  • Quotation of 1 Cor 10:12; cf. Col 4:6.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR: word split): ἀνυποκρί του → ἀνυποκρίτου.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.13 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-13). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-13

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.14PG 65:439

Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἢ φεύγων φεῦγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἢ ἔμπαιξον τὸν κόσμον καὶ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, μωρὸν σεαυτὸν εἰς τὰ πολλὰ ποιῶν.

Eipe palin; Ē pheugōn pheuge tous anthrōpous, ē empaixon ton kosmon kai tous anthrōpous, mōron seauton eis ta polla poiōn.

He also said, “Either flee from men decisively, or mock the world and men, making yourself a fool in many things.”

1 Cor 3:18 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Either flee people or play the fool before the world.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR: word split): ἀνθρώ πους → ἀνθρώπους.

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.14 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-14). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-14

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.

126.15PG 65:439

Πάλιν εἶπεν· Ἐὰν καταλαλήσῃς τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, καὶ πλήξῃ σε τὸ συνειδός σου, ἄπελθε, βάλε αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν, καὶ εἰπὲ, ὅτι Κατελάλησά σου, καὶ ἀσφάλισαι μηκέτι ἐμπαιχθῆναι. Θάνατος γάρ ἐστι τῆς ψυχῆς ἡ καταλαλιά.

Palin eipen; Ean katalalēsę̄s tou adelphou sou, kai plēxę̄ se to syneidos sou, apelthe, bale autǭ metanoian, kai eipe, hoti Katelalēsa sou, kai asphalisai mēketi empaichthēnai. Thanatos gar esti tēs psychēs hē katalalia.

Again he said, “If you slander your brother, and your conscience strikes you, go, make a prostration to him and say, ‘I slandered you,’ and make sure you are not mocked again. For slander is the death of the soul.”

Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.

Matt 5:23 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Confess slander to the one slandered, for slander is the soul’s death.

  • A variant note is removed.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (variant note (“Al.”) from Migne’s apparatus): ΑΙ. αὐτῷ. → .

Cite (SBL): Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.15 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-15). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-15

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Translation: Translated by Claude (Opus) from Cotelier's Greek text as printed in Migne PG 65 (Bavarian State Library OCR); no public-domain English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Greek.