The Wisdom of the Desert (New Directions Book 295)

by Thomas Merton

THERE was a certain elder who, if anyone maligned him, would go in person to offer him presents, if he lived nearby. And if he lived at a distance he would send presents by the hand of another.

Go and insult that stone, and beat it without ceasing. When this had been done, St. Anthony asked him if the

stone had answered back. No, said Ammonas. Then Abbot Anthony said: You too must reach the point where you no longer take offence at anything.

Who am I? And judge no one.

The hunter said: If I bend my bow all the time it will break. Abbot Anthony replied: So it is also in the work of God. If we push ourselves beyond measure, the brethren will soon collapse. It is right, therefore, from time to time, to relax their efforts.

Now I can no longer oppose you since it is perhaps the will of God that I, though unworthy, should receive

Now these two pence are your hope. If they should be lost, would not God take care of you? Cast your care upon the Lord, then, for He will take care of us.

But each man should act according to his own spiritual way. And if one were not able to get along without the flower, he should plant it again.

Well, when I get up to give people a drink of water, I am happy if they all take it; and for that reason on this occasion I took the drink, that he might be rewarded, and not feel sad because nobody accepted the cup from him. And at this all admired his discretion.

That man hates evil who hates his own sins, and looks upon every brother as a saint, and loves him as a saint.

When evil thoughts are a roused by the enemy, he should fly, by prayer, to the Lord, and he will be saved.

For if you leave it then, no matter where you go, you will find the same temptation waiting for you. But be patient until the temptation goes away, lest your departure scandalize others who dwell in the same place, and bring tribulation upon them.

If he is not edified by my silence, there is no hope that he will be edified by my words.

A monk ought not to inquire how this one acts, or how that one lives. Questions like this take us away from prayer and draw us on to backbiting and chatter.

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and humility with patience.

was asked by a certain soldier if God would forgive a sinner. And he said to him: Tell me, beloved, if your cloak is torn, will you throw it away? The soldier replied and said: No. I will mend it and put it back on. The elder said to him: If you take care of your

cloak, will God not be merciful to His own image?

Pray attentively and you will soon straighten out your thoughts.

I did wrong, do not rebuke him, because you will break the resolution of his soul. And if you tell him: Do not be sad, brother, but watch it in the future, you stir him up to change his life.