Abba Isidore of Pelusium said, “A life without words is naturally more beneficial than words without a life. The first benefits even while silent; the second troubles even while shouting. But if word and life run together, they form one image of the whole of philosophy.”
The same elder said, “Honor the virtues; do not cultivate prosperity. The virtues are an immortal possession, but prosperity is easily extinguished.”
Abba Isidore of Pelusium also said, “Many people desire virtue, but hesitate to walk the road that leads to it; others do not even think that virtue exists. We must therefore persuade the first to put aside their hesitation, and teach the others that virtue truly is virtue.”
He also said, “Evil has separated people from God and from one another. Therefore we must flee it at once and pursue virtue, which brings us to God and joins us to one another. The definition of virtue and philosophy is simplicity joined with understanding.”
He also said, “Humility rises to a great height, while arrogance ends in a great fall. I advise you to embrace the first and not fall into the second.”
He also said, “The terrible love of possessions, ready to dare anything and knowing no satisfaction, drives the soul it captures to the furthest extreme of evil. So let us drive it away at the very outset; once it gains control, it cannot be subdued.”