Abba Evagrius said, “As you sit in your cell, gather your mind. Remember the day of death; see then the deadness of the body. Consider the calamity, embrace the pain, and condemn the vanity that is in the world, so that you may be able always to remain firm in your purpose of stillness and not grow weak. Remember also the present condition in Hades. Consider what the souls are like there: in what dreadful silence, in what bitter groaning, in what fear, struggle, and expectation; consider the unceasing anguish and the soul’s endless tears. But remember also the day of resurrection and our standing before God. Picture that dreadful and fearful judgment. Bring before yourself what is laid up for sinners: shame before God, angels, archangels, and all people; punishments, eternal fire, the sleepless worm, Tartarus, darkness, gnashing of teeth, terrors and torments. Bring before yourself also the good things laid up for the righteous: freedom of speech with God the Father and His Christ, with angels and archangels and the whole assembly of the saints; the kingdom of heaven and its gifts, its joy and its delight. Keep the memory of both these things within yourself. At the judgment of sinners, weep and mourn, fearing that you too may be among them. But rejoice and be glad over what is laid up for the righteous. Make every effort to enjoy those things and to be a stranger to the others. See that you never forget this, whether you are inside your cell or somewhere outside, so that through remembering these things you may at least escape filthy and harmful thoughts.”
He also said, “Cut off your ties with many people, lest your mind become distracted and disturb your way of stillness.”
He also said, “It is a great thing to pray without distraction; it is greater still to chant psalms without distraction.”
He also said, “Always remember your departure from this life, and do not forget the eternal judgment; then there will be no fault in your soul.”
He also said, “Take away trials, and no one will be saved.”
He also said that one of the Fathers used to say, “A drier and irregular diet, joined with love, brings the monk more quickly into the harbor of freedom from passion.”
Once there was an assembly in the Cells about some matter, and Abba Evagrius spoke. The priest said to him, “Abba, we know that if you were in your own country, you would very likely be a bishop and the head of many; but now you sit here as a stranger.” Evagrius was cut to the heart but was not disturbed. He nodded and said, “It is true, Father. Yet I have spoken once; a second time I will not add anything.”