Saturday, January 25, 2014

St. Isaac the Syrian on Self-knowledge

St. Isaac the Syrian (sketch by Photios Kontoglou) (source)
 
He who senses his sins,
is greater than he who raises the dead
with his prayer.

He who groans one hour for his soul, is greater
than he who benefits the whole world.

He who is made worthy to see himself, is greater
than he who is made worthy to see angels.

To him who knows himself,
is given the knowledge of all things.
For the knowledge of ourselves is the fullness
of knowledge of all things.
 
(amateur translation of text from here)
   
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

1 comment:

J Scott Lamp said...

Would you please provide the source of this quotation?