The Conferences — St. John Cassian

Conference I First Conference of Abbot Moses c.1–23
Chapter 1 Of our stay in Scete, and that which we proposed to Abbot Moses.
Chapter 2 Of the question of Abbot Moses, who asked what was the goal and what the end of the monk.
Chapter 3 Of our reply.
Chapter 4 Of Abbot Moses’ question on the aforesaid statement.
Chapter 5 A comparison with a man who is trying to hit a mark.
Chapter 6 Of those who in renouncing the world, aim at perfection without love.
Chapter 7 How peace of mind should be sought.
Chapter 8 Of the main effort towards the contemplation of things and an illustration from the case of Martha and Mary.
Chapter 9 A question how it is that the practice of virtue cannot remain with a man.
Chapter 10 The answer that not the reward, but the doing of them will come to an end.
Chapter 11 On the abiding character of love.
Chapter 12 A question on perseverance in spiritual contemplation.
Chapter 13 The answer concerning the direction of the heart towards and concerning the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil.
Chapter 14 Of the continuance of the soul.
Chapter 15 How we must meditate on God.
Chapter 16 A question on the changing character of the thoughts.
Chapter 17 The answer what the mind can and what it cannot do with regard to the state of its thoughts.
Chapter 18 Comparison of a soul and a millstone.
Chapter 19 Of the three origins of our thoughts.
Chapter 20 About discerning the thoughts, with an illustration from a good money-changer.
Chapter 21 Of the illusion of Abbot John.
Chapter 22 Of the fourfold method of discrimination.
Chapter 23 Of the discourse of the teacher in regard to the merits of his hearers.
Conference II Second Conference of Abbot Moses c.1–26
Chapter 1 Abbot Moses’ introduction on the grace of discretion.
Chapter 2 What discretion alone can give a monk; and a discourse of the blessed Antony on this subject.
Chapter 3 Of the error of Saul and of Ahab, by which they were deceived through lack of discretion.
Chapter 4 What is said of the value of discretion in Holy Scripture.
Chapter 5 Of the death of the old man Heron.
Chapter 6 Of the destruction of two brethren for lack of discretion.
Chapter 7 Of an illusion into which another fell for lack of discretion.
Chapter 8 Of the fall and deception of a monk of Mesopotamia.
Chapter 9 A question about the acquirement of true discretion.
Chapter 10 The answer how true discretion may be gained.
Chapter 11 The words of Abbot Serapion on the decline of thoughts that are exposed to others, and also on the danger of self-confidence.
Chapter 12 A confession of the modesty which made us ashamed to reveal our thoughts to the elders.
Chapter 13 The answer concerning the trampling down of shame, and the danger of one without contrition.
Chapter 14 Of the call of Samuel.
Chapter 15 Of the call of the Apostle Paul.
Chapter 16 How to seek for discretion.
Chapter 17 On excessive fasts and vigils.
Chapter 18 A question on the right measure of abstinence and refreshment.
Chapter 19 Of the best plan for our daily food.
Chapter 20 An objection on the ease of that abstinence in which a man is sustained by two biscuits.
Chapter 21 The answer concerning the value and measure of well-proved abstinence.
Chapter 22 What is the usual limit both of abstinence and of partaking food.
Chapter 23 Quemadmodum abundantia umorum genitalium castigetur.
Chapter 24 Of the difficulty of uniformity in eating; and of the gluttony of brother Benjamin.
Chapter 25 A question how is it possible always to observe one and the same measure.
Chapter 26 The answer how we should not exceed the proper measure of food.
Conference III Conference of Abbot Paphnutius. On the Three Sorts of Renunciations c.1–22
Chapter 1 Of the life and conduct of Abbot Paphnutius.
Chapter 2 Of the discourse of the same old man, and our reply to it.
Chapter 3 The statement of Abbot Paphnutius on the three kinds of vocations, and the three sorts of renunciations.
Chapter 4 An explanation of the three callings.
Chapter 5 How the first of these calls is of no use to a sluggard, and the last is no hindrance to one who is in earnest.
Chapter 6 An account of the three sorts of renunciations.
Chapter 7 How we can attain perfection in each of these sorts of renunciations.
Chapter 8 Of our very own possessions in which the beauty of the soul is seen or its foulness.
Chapter 9 Of three sorts of possessions.
Chapter 10 That none can become perfect merely through the first grade of renunciation.
Chapter 11 A question on the free will of man and the grace of God.
Chapter 12 The answer on the economy of Divine Grace, with free will still remaining in us.
Chapter 13 That the ordering of our way comes from God.
Chapter 14 That knowledge of the law is given by the guidance and illumination of the Lord.
Chapter 15 That the understanding, by means of which we can recognize God’s commands, and the performance of a good will are both gifts from the Lord.
Chapter 16 That faith itself must be given us by the Lord.
Chapter 17 That temperateness and the endurance of temptations must be given to us by the Lord.
Chapter 18 That the continual fear of God must be bestowed on us by the Lord.
Chapter 19 That the beginning of our good will and its completion comes from God.
Chapter 20 That nothing can be done in this world without God.
Chapter 21 An objection on the power of free will.
Chapter 22 The answer; viz., that our free will always has need of the help of the Lord.
Conference IV Conference of Abbot Daniel. On the Lust of the Flesh and of the Spirit c.1–21
Chapter 1 Of the life of Abbot Daniel.
Chapter 2 An investigation of the origin of a sudden change of feeling from inexpressible joy to extreme dejection of mind.
Chapter 3 His answer to the question raised.
Chapter 4 How there is a twofold reason for the permission and allowance of God.
Chapter 5 How our efforts and exertions are of no use without God’s help.
Chapter 6 How it is sometimes to our advantage to be left by God.
Chapter 7 Of the value of the conflict which the Apostle makes to consist in the strife between the flesh and the spirit.
Chapter 8 A question, how it is that in the Apostle’s chapter, after he has spoken of the lusts of the flesh and spirit opposing one another, he adds a third thing; viz., man’s will.
Chapter 9 The answer on the understanding of one who asks rightly.
Chapter 10 That the word flesh is not used with one single meaning only.
Chapter 11 What the Apostle means by flesh in this passage, and what the lust of the flesh is.
Chapter 12 What is our free will, which stands in between the lust of the flesh and the spirit.
Chapter 13 Of the advantage of the delay which results from the struggle between flesh and spirit.
Chapter 14 Of the incurable depravity of spiritual wickednesses.
Chapter 15 Of the value of the lust of the flesh against the spirit in our case.
Chapter 16 Of the excitements of the flesh, without the humiliation of which we should fall more grievously.
Chapter 17 Of the lukewarmness of eunuchs.
Chapter 18 The question what is the difference between the carnal and natural man.
Chapter 19 The answer concerning the threefold condition of souls.
Chapter 20 Of those who renounce the world but ill.
Chapter 21 Of those who having made light of great things busy themselves about trifles.
Conference V Conference of Abbot Serapion. On the Eight Principal Faults c.1–27
Chapter 1 Our arrival at Abbot Serapion’s cell, and inquiry on the different kinds of faults and the way to overcome them.
Chapter 2 Abbot Serapion’s enumeration of eight principal faults.
Chapter 3 Of the two classes of faults and their fourfold manner of acting on us.
Chapter 4 A review of the passions of gluttony and fornication and their remedies.
Chapter 5 How our Lord alone was tempted without sin.
Chapter 6 Of the manner of the temptation in which our Lord was attacked by the devil.
Chapter 7 How vainglory and pride can be consummated without any assistance from the body.
Chapter 8 Of covetousness, which is something outside our nature, and of the difference between it and those faults which are natural to us.
Chapter 9 How dejection and accidie generally arise without any external provocation, as in the case of other faults.
Chapter 10 How six of these faults are related, and the two which differ from them are akin to one another.
Chapter 11 Of the origin and character of each of these faults.
Chapter 12 How vainglory may be useful to us.
Chapter 13 Of the different ways in which all these faults assault us.
Chapter 14 Of the struggle into which we must enter against our faults, when they attack us.
Chapter 15 How we can do nothing against our faults without the help of God, and how we should not be puffed up by victories over them.
Chapter 16 Of the meaning of the seven nations of whose lands Israel took possession, and the reason why they are sometimes spoken of as “seven,” and sometimes as “many.”
Chapter 17 A question with regard to the comparison of seven nations with eight faults.
Chapter 18
Chapter 19 The reason why one nation is to be forsaken, while seven are commanded to be destroyed.
Chapter 20 Of the nature of gluttony, which may be illustrated by the simile of the eagle.
Chapter 21 Of the lasting character of gluttony as described to some philosophers.
Chapter 22 How it was that God foretold to Abraham that Israel would have to drive out ten nations.
Chapter 23 How it is useful for us to take possession of their lands.
Chapter 24 How the lands from which the Canaanites were expelled, had been assigned to the seed of Shem.
Chapter 25 Different passages of Scripture on the meaning of the eight faults.
Chapter 26 How when we have got the better of the passion of gluttony we must take pains to gain all the other virtues.
Chapter 27 That our battles are not fought with our faults in the same order as that in which they stand in the list.
Conference VI Conference of Abbot Theodore. On the Death of the Saints c.1–17
Chapter 1 Description of the wilderness, and the question about the death of the saints.
Chapter 2 Abbot Theodore’s answer to the question proposed to him.
Chapter 3 Of the three kinds of things there are in the world; viz., good, bad, and indifferent.
Chapter 4 How evil cannot be forced on any one by another against his will.
Chapter 5 An objection, how God Himself can be said to create evil.
Chapter 6 The answer to the question proposed.
Chapter 7 A question whether the man who causes the death of a good man is guilty, if the good man is the gainer by his death.
Chapter 8 The answer to the foregoing question.
Chapter 9 The case of Job who was tempted by the devil and of the Lord who was betrayed by Judas: and how prosperity as well as adversity is advantageous to a good man.
Chapter 10 Of the excellence of the perfect man who is figuratively spoken of as ambidextrous.
Chapter 11 Of the two kinds of trials, which come upon us in a three-fold way.
Chapter 12 How the upright man ought to be like a stamp not of wax but of hard steel.
Chapter 13 A question whether the mind can constantly continue in one and the same condition.
Chapter 14 The answer to the point raised by the questioner.
Chapter 15 How one loses by going away from one’s cell.
Chapter 16 How even celestial powers above are capable of change.
Chapter 17 That no one is dashed to the ground by a sudden fall.
Conference VII First Conference of Abbot Serenus. On Inconstancy of Mind, and Spiritual Wickedness c.1–34
Chapter 1 On the chastity of Abbot Serenus.
Chapter 2 The question of the aforesaid old man on the state of our thoughts.
Chapter 3 Our answer on the fickle character of our thoughts.
Chapter 4 The discourse of the old man on the state of the soul and its excellence.
Chapter 5 On the perfection of the soul, as drawn from the comparison of the Centurion in the gospel.
Chapter 6 Of perseverance as regards care of the thoughts.
Chapter 7 A question on the roving tendency of the mind and the attacks of spiritual wickedness.
Chapter 8 The answer on the help of God and the power of free will.
Chapter 9 A question on the union of the soul with devils.
Chapter 10 The answer how unclean spirits are united with human souls.
Chapter 11 An objection whether unclean spirits can be present in or united with the souls of those whom they have filled.
Chapter 12 The answer how it is that unclean spirits can lord it over those possessed.
Chapter 13 How spirit cannot be penetrated by spirit, and how God alone is incorporeal.
Chapter 14 An objection, as to how we ought to believe that devils see into the thoughts of men.
Chapter 15 The answer what devils can and what they cannot do in regard to the thoughts of men.
Chapter 16 An illustration showing how we are taught that unclean spirits know the thoughts of men.
Chapter 17 On the fact that not every devil has the power of suggesting every passion to men.
Chapter 18 A question whether among the devils there is any order observed in the attack, or system in its changes.
Chapter 19 The answer how far an agreement exists among devils about the attack and its changes.
Chapter 20 Of the fact that opposite powers are not of the same boldness, and that the occasions of temptation are not under their control.
Chapter 21 Of the fact that devils struggle with men not without effort on their part.
Chapter 22 On the fact that the power to hurt does not depend upon the will of the devils.
Chapter 23 Of the diminished power of the devils.
Chapter 24 Of the way in which the devils prepare for themselves an entrance into the bodies of those whom they are going to possess.
Chapter 25 On the fact that those men are more wretched who are possessed by sins than those who are possessed by devils.
Chapter 26 Of the death of the prophet who was led astray, and of the infirmity of the Abbot Paul, with which he was visited for the sake of his cleansing.
Chapter 27 On the temptation of Abbot Moses.
Chapter 28 How we ought not to despise those who are delivered up to unclean spirits.
Chapter 29 An objection, asking why those who are tormented by unclean spirits are separated from the Lord’s communion.
Chapter 30 The answer to the question raised.
Chapter 31 On the fact that those men are more to be pitied to whom it is not given to be subjected to those temporal temptations.
Chapter 32 Of the different desires and wishes which exist in the powers of the air.
Chapter 33 A question as to the origin of such differences in powers of evil in the sky.
Chapter 34 The postponement of the answer to the question raised.
Conference VIII The Second Conference of Abbot Serenus. On Principalities c.1–25
Chapter 1 Of the hospitality of Abbot Serenus.
Chapter 2 Statements on the different kinds of spiritual wickednesses.
Chapter 3 The answer on the many kinds of food provided in holy Scripture.
Chapter 4 Of the double sense in which Holy Scripture may be taken.
Chapter 5 Of the fact that the question suggested ought to be included among those things to be held in a neutral or doubtful way.
Chapter 6 Of the fact that nothing is created evil by God.
Chapter 7 Of the origin of principalities or powers.
Chapter 8 Of the fall of the devil and the angels.
Chapter 9 An objection stating that the fall of the devil took its origin from the deception of God.
Chapter 10 The answer about the beginning of the devil’s fall.
Chapter 11 The punishment of the deceiver and the deceived.
Chapter 12 Of the crowd of the devils, and the disturbance which they always raise in our atmosphere.
Chapter 13 Of the fact that opposing powers turn the attack, which they aim at men, even against each other.
Chapter 14 How it is that spiritual wickednesses obtained the names of powers or principalities.
Chapter 15 Of the fact that it is not without reason that the names of angels and archangels are given to holy and heavenly powers.
Chapter 16 Of the subjection of the devils, which they show to their own princes, as seen in a brother’s victim.
Chapter 17 Of the fact that two angels always cling to every man.
Chapter 18 Of the degrees of wickedness which exist in hostile spirits, as shown in the case of two philosophers.
Chapter 19 Of the fact that devils cannot prevail at all against men unless they have first secured possession of their minds.
Chapter 20 A question about the fallen angels who are said in Genesis to have had intercourse with the daughters of men.
Chapter 21 The answer to the question raised.
Chapter 22 An objection, as to how an unlawful intermingling with the daughters of Cain could be charged against the line of Seth before the prohibition of the law.
Chapter 23 The answer, that by the law of nature men were from the beginning liable to judgment and punishment.
Chapter 24 Of the fact that they were justly punished, who sinned before the flood.
Chapter 25 How this that is said of the devil in the gospel is to be understood; viz., that “he is a liar, and his father.”
Conference IX The First Conference of Abbot Isaac. On Prayer c.1–36
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Conference.
Chapter 2 The words of Abbot Isaac on the nature of prayer.
Chapter 3 How pure and sincere prayer can be gained.
Chapter 4 Of the lightness of the soul which may be compared to a wing or feather.
Chapter 5 Of the ways in which our soul is weighed down.
Chapter 6 Of the vision which a certain Elder saw concerning the restless work of a brother.
Chapter 7 A question how it is that it is harder work to preserve than to originate good thoughts.
Chapter 8 Of the different characters of prayer.
Chapter 9 Of the fourfold nature of prayer.
Chapter 10 Of the order of the different kinds laid down with regard to the character of prayer.
Chapter 11 Of Supplications.
Chapter 12 Of Prayer.
Chapter 13 Of Intercession.
Chapter 14 Of Thanksgiving.
Chapter 15 Whether these four kinds of prayers are necessary for everyone to offer all at once or separately and in turns.
Chapter 16 Of the kinds of prayer to which we ought to direct ourselves.
Chapter 17 How the four kinds of supplication were originated by the Lord.
Chapter 18 Of the Lord’s Prayer.
Chapter 19 Of the clause “Thy kingdom come.”
Chapter 20 Of the clause “Thy will be done.”
Chapter 21 Of our supersubstantial or daily bread.
Chapter 22 Of the clause: “Forgive us our debts, etc.”
Chapter 23 Of the clause: “Lead us not into temptation.”
Chapter 24 How we ought not to ask for other things, except only those which are contained in the limits of the Lord’s Prayer.
Chapter 25 Of the character of the sublimer prayer.
Chapter 26 Of the different causes of conviction.
Chapter 27 Of the different sorts of conviction.
Chapter 28 A question about the fact that a plentiful supply of tears is not in our own power.
Chapter 29 The answer on the varieties of conviction which spring from tears.
Chapter 30 How tears ought not to be squeezed out, when they do not flow spontaneously.
Chapter 31 The opinion of Abbot Antony on the condition of prayer.
Chapter 32 Of the proof of prayer being heard.
Chapter 33 An objection that the confidence of being thus heard as described belongs only to saints.
Chapter 34 Answer on the different reasons for prayer being heard.
Chapter 35 Of prayer to be offered within the chamber and with the door shut.
Chapter 36 Of the value of short and silent prayer.
Conference X The Second Conference of Abbot Isaac. On Prayer c.1–14
Chapter 1 Introduction.
Chapter 2 Of the custom which is kept up in the Province of Egypt for signifying the time of Easter.
Chapter 3 Of Abbot Sarapion and the heresy of the Anthropomorphites into which he fell in the error of simplicity.
Chapter 4 Of our return to Abbot Isaac and question concerning the error into which the aforesaid old man had fallen.
Chapter 5 The answer on the heresy described above.
Chapter 6 Of the reasons why Jesus Christ appears to each one of us either in His humility or in His glorified condition.
Chapter 7 What constitutes our end and perfect bliss.
Chapter 8 A question on the training in perfection by which we can arrive at perpetual recollection of God.
Chapter 9 The answer on the efficacy of understanding, which is gained by experience.
Chapter 10 Of the method of continual prayer.
Chapter 11 Of the perfection of prayer to which we can rise by the system described.
Chapter 12 A question as to how spiritual thoughts can be retained without losing them.
Chapter 13 On the lightness of thoughts.
Chapter 14 The answer how we can gain stability of heart or of thoughts.
Conference XI The First Conference of Abbot Chæremon. On Perfection c.1–15
Chapter 1 Description of the town of Thennesus.
Chapter 2 Of Bishop Archebius.
Chapter 3 Description of the desert where Chæremon, Nesteros, and Joseph lived.
Chapter 4 Of Abbot Chæremon and his excuse about the teaching which we asked for.
Chapter 5 Of our answer to his excuse.
Chapter 6 Abbot Chæremon’s statement that faults can be overcome in three ways.
Chapter 7 By what steps we can ascend to the heights of love and what permanence there is in it.
Chapter 8 How greatly those excel who depart from sin through the feeling of love.
Chapter 9 That love not only makes sons out of servants, but also bestows the image and likeness of God.
Chapter 10 How it is the perfection of love to pray for one’s enemies and by what signs we may recognize a mind that is not yet purified.
Chapter 11 A question why he has called the feeling of fear and hope imperfect.
Chapter 12 The answer on the different kinds of perfection.
Chapter 13 Of the fear which is the outcome of the greatest love.
Chapter 14 A question about complete chastity.
Chapter 15 The postponement of the explanation which is asked for.
Conference XIII The Third Conference of Abbot Chæremon. On the Protection of God c.1–18
Chapter 1 Introduction.
Chapter 2 A question why the merit of good deeds may not be ascribed to the exertions of the man who does them.
Chapter 3 The answer that without God’s help not only perfect chastity but all good of every kind cannot be performed.
Chapter 4 An objection, asking how the Gentiles can be said to have chastity without the grace of God.
Chapter 5 The answer on the imaginary chastity of the philosophers.
Chapter 6 That without the grace of God we cannot make any diligent efforts.
Chapter 7 Of the main purpose of God and His daily Providence.
Chapter 8 Of the grace of God and the freedom of the will.
Chapter 9 Of the power of our good will, and the grace of God.
Chapter 10 On the weakness of free will.
Chapter 11 Whether the grace of God precedes or follows our good will.
Chapter 12 That a good will should not always be attributed to grace, nor always to man himself.
Chapter 13 How human efforts cannot be set against the grace of God.
Chapter 14 How God makes trial of the strength of man’s will by means of his temptations.
Chapter 15 Of the manifold grace of men’s calls.
Chapter 16 Of the grace of God; to the effect that it transcends the narrow limits of human faith.
Chapter 17 Of the inscrutable providence of God.
Chapter 18 The decision of the fathers that free will is not equal to save a man.
Conference XIV The First Conference of Abbot Nesteros. On Spiritual Knowledge c.1–19
Chapter 1 The words of Abbot Nesteros on the knowledge of the religious.
Chapter 2 On grasping the knowledge of spiritual things.
Chapter 3 How practical perfection depends on a double system.
Chapter 4 How practical life is distributed among many different professions and interests.
Chapter 5 On perseverance in the line that has been chosen.
Chapter 6 How the weak are easily moved.
Chapter 7 An instance of chastity which teaches us that all men should not be emulous of all things.
Chapter 8 Of spiritual knowledge.
Chapter 9 How from practical knowledge we must proceed to spiritual.
Chapter 10 How to embrace the system of true knowledge.
Chapter 11 Of the manifold meaning of the Holy Scriptures.
Chapter 12 A question how we can attain to forgetfulness of the cares of this world.
Chapter 13 Of the method by which we can remove the dross from our memory.
Chapter 14 How an unclean soul can neither give nor receive spiritual knowledge.
Chapter 15 An objection owing to the fact that many impure persons have knowledge while saints have not.
Chapter 16 The answer to the effect that bad men cannot possess true knowledge.
Chapter 17 To whom the method of perfection should be laid open.
Chapter 18 Of the reasons for which spiritual learning is unfruitful.
Chapter 19 How often even those who are not worthy can receive the grace of the saving word.
Conference XV The Second Conference of Abbot Nesteros. On Divine Gifts c.1–10
Chapter 1 Discourse of Abbot Nesteros on the threefold system of gifts.
Chapter 2 Wherein one ought to admire the saints.
Chapter 3 Of a dead man raised to life by Abbot Macarius.
Chapter 4 Of the miracle which Abbot Abraham wrought on the breasts of a woman.
Chapter 5 Of the cure of a lame man which the same saint wrought.
Chapter 6 How the merits of each man should not be judged by his miracles.
Chapter 7 How the excellence of gifts consists not in miracles but in humility.
Chapter 8 How it is more wonderful to have cast out one’s faults from one’s self than devils from another.
Chapter 9 How uprightness of life is of more importance than the working of miracles.
Chapter 10 A revelation on the trial of perfect chastity.
Conference XVI The First Conference of Abbot Joseph. On Friendship c.1–28
Chapter 1 What Abbot Joseph asked us in the first instance.
Chapter 2 Discourse of the same elder on the untrustworthy sort of friendship.
Chapter 3 How friendship is indissoluble.
Chapter 4 A question whether anything that is really useful should be performed even against a brother’s wish.
Chapter 5 The answer, how a lasting friendship can only exist among those who are perfect.
Chapter 6 By what means union can be preserved unbroken.
Chapter 7 How nothing should be put before love, or after anger.
Chapter 8 On what grounds a dispute can arise among spiritual persons.
Chapter 9 How to get rid even of spiritual grounds of discord.
Chapter 10 On the best tests of truth.
Chapter 11 How it is impossible for one who trusts to his own judgment to escape being deceived by the devil’s illusions.
Chapter 12 Why inferiors should not be despised in Conference.
Chapter 13 How love does not only belong to God but is God.
Chapter 14 On the different grades of love.
Chapter 15 Of those who only increase their own or their brother’s grievances by hiding them.
Chapter 16 How it is that, if our brother has any grudge against us, the gifts of our prayers are rejected by the Lord.
Chapter 17 Of those who hold that patience should be shown to worldly people rather than to the brethren.
Chapter 18 Of those who pretend to patience but excite their brethren to anger by their silence.
Chapter 19 Of those who fast out of rage.
Chapter 20 Of the feigned patience of some who offer the other cheek to be smitten.
Chapter 21 A question how if we obey the commands of Christ we can fail of evangelical perfection.
Chapter 22 The answer that Christ looks not only at the action but also at the will.
Chapter 23 How he is the strong and vigorous man, who yields to the will of another.
Chapter 24 How the weak are harmful and cannot bear wrongs.
Chapter 25 A question how he can be strong who does not always support the weak.
Chapter 26 The answer that the weak does not always allow himself to be borne.
Chapter 27 How anger should be repressed.
Chapter 28 How friendships entered upon by conspiracy cannot be lasting ones.
Conference XVII The Second Conference of Abbot Joseph. On Making Promises c.1–30
Chapter 1 Of the vigils which we endured.
Chapter 2 Of the anxiety of Abbot Germanus at the recollection of our promise.
Chapter 3 My ideas on this subject.
Chapter 4 Abbot Joseph’s question and our answer on the origin of our anxiety.
Chapter 5 The explanation of Abbot Germanus why we wanted to stay in Egypt, and were drawn back to Syria.
Chapter 6 Abbot Joseph’s question whether we got more good in Egypt than in Syria.
Chapter 7 The answer on the difference of customs in the two countries.
Chapter 8 How those who are perfect ought not to make any promises absolutely, and whether decisions can be reversed without sin.
Chapter 9 How it is often better to break one’s engagements than to fulfil them.
Chapter 10 Our question about our fear of the oath which we gave in the monastery in Syria.
Chapter 11 The answer that we must take into account the purpose of the doer rather than the execution of the business.
Chapter 12 How a fortunate issue will be of no avail to evil doers, while bad deeds will not injure good men.
Chapter 13 Our answer as to the reason which demanded an oath from us.
Chapter 14 The discourse of the Elder showing how the plan of action may be changed without fault provided that one keeps to the carrying out of a good intention.
Chapter 15 A question whether it can be without sin that our knowledge affords to weak brethren an opportunity for lying.
Chapter 16 The answer that Scripture truth is not to be altered on account of an offence given to the weak.
Chapter 17 How the saints have profitably employed a lie like hellebore.
Chapter 18 An objection that only those men employed lies with impunity, who lived under the law.
Chapter 19 The answer, that leave to lie, which was not even granted under the old Covenant, has rightly been taken by many.
Chapter 20 How even Apostles thought that a lie was often useful and the truth injurious.
Chapter 21 Whether secret abstinence ought to be made known, without telling a lie about it, to those who ask, and whether what has once been declined may be taken in hand.
Chapter 22 An objection, that abstinence ought to be concealed, but that things that have been declined should not be received.
Chapter 23 The answer that obstinacy in this decision is unreasonable.
Chapter 24 How Abbot Piamun chose to hide his abstinence.
Chapter 25 The evidence of Scripture on changes of determination.
Chapter 26 How saintly men cannot be hard and obstinate.
Chapter 27 A question whether the saying: “I have sworn and am purposed” is opposed to the view given above.
Chapter 28 The answer telling in what cases the determination is to be kept fixedly, and in what cases it may be broken if need be.
Chapter 29 How we ought to do those things which are to be kept secret.
Chapter 30 That no determination should be made on those things which concern the needs of the common life.
Conference XVIII Conference of Abbot Piamun. On the Three Sorts of Monks c.1–16
Chapter 1 How we came to Diolcos and were received by Abbot Piamun.
Chapter 2 The words of Abbot Piamun, how monks who were novices ought to be taught by the example of their elders.
Chapter 3 How the juniors ought not to discuss the orders of the seniors.
Chapter 4 Of the three sorts of monks which there are in Egypt.
Chapter 5 Of the founders who originated the order of Cœnobites.
Chapter 6 Of the system of the Anchorites and its beginning.
Chapter 7 Of the origin of the Sarabaites and their mode of life.
Chapter 8 Of a fourth sort of monks.
Chapter 9 A question as to what is the difference between a Cœnobium and a monastery.
Chapter 10 The answer.
Chapter 11 Of true humility, and how Abbot Serapion exposed the mock humility of a certain man.
Chapter 12 A question how true patience can be gained.
Chapter 13 The answer.
Chapter 14 Of the example of patience given by a certain religious woman.
Chapter 15 Of the example of patience given by Abbot Paphnutius.
Chapter 16 On the perfection of patience.
Conference XIX Conference of Abbot John. On the Aim of the Cœnobite and Hermit c.1–16
Chapter 1 Of the Cœnobium of Abbot Paul and the patience of a certain brother.
Chapter 2 Of Abbot John’s humility and our question.
Chapter 3 Abbot John’s answer why he had left the desert.
Chapter 4 Of the excellence which the aforesaid old man showed in the system of the anchorites.
Chapter 5 Of the advantages of the desert.
Chapter 6 Of the conveniences of the Cœnobium.
Chapter 7 A question on the fruits of the Cœnobium and the desert.
Chapter 8 The answer to the question proposed.
Chapter 9 Of true and complete perfection.
Chapter 10 Of those who while still imperfect retire into the desert.
Chapter 11 A question how to cure those who have hastily left the congregation of the Cœnobium.
Chapter 12 The answer telling how a solitary can discover his faults.
Chapter 13 A question how a man can be cured who has entered on solitude without having his faults eradicated.
Chapter 14 The answer on their remedies.
Chapter 15 A question whether chastity ought to be ascertained just as the other feelings.
Chapter 16 The answer giving the proofs by which it can be recognized.
Conference XX Conference of Abbot Pinufius. On the End of Penitence and the Marks of Satisfaction c.1–12
Chapter 1 Of the humility of Abbot Pinufius, and of his hiding-place.
Chapter 2 Of our coming to him.
Chapter 3 A question on the end of penitence and the marks of satisfaction.
Chapter 4 The answer on the humility shown by our request.
Chapter 5 Of the method of penitence and the proof of pardon.
Chapter 6 A question whether our sins ought to be remembered out of contrition of heart.
Chapter 7 The answer showing how far we ought to preserve the recollection of previous actions.
Chapter 8 Of the various fruits of penitence.
Chapter 9 How valuable to the perfect is the forgetfulness of sin.
Chapter 10 How the recollection of our sins should be avoided.
Chapter 11 Of the marks of satisfaction, and the removal of past sins.
Chapter 12 Wherein we must do penance for a time only; and wherein it can have no end.
Conference XXI The First Conference of Abbot Theonas. On the Relaxation During the Fifty Days c.1–36
Chapter 1 How Theonas came to Abbot John.
Chapter 2 The exhortation of Abbot John to Theonas and the others who had come together with him.
Chapter 3 Of the offering of tithes and firstfruits.
Chapter 4 How Abraham, David, and other saints went beyond the requirement of the law.
Chapter 5 How those who live under the grace of the Gospel ought to go beyond the requirement of the law.
Chapter 6 How the grace of the gospel supports the weak so that they can obtain pardon, as it secures to the perfect the kingdom of God.
Chapter 7 How it lies in our own power to choose whether to remain under the grace of the gospel or under the terror of the law.
Chapter 8 How Theonas exhorted his wife that she too should make her renunciation.
Chapter 9 How he fled to a monastery when his wife would not consent.
Chapter 10 An explanation that we may not appear to recommend separation from wives.
Chapter 11 An inquiry why in Egypt they do not fast during all the fifty days (of Easter) nor bend their knees in prayer.
Chapter 12 The answer on the nature of things good, bad, and indifferent.
Chapter 13 What kind of good fasting is.
Chapter 14 How fasting is not good in its own nature.
Chapter 15 How a thing that is good in its own nature ought not to be done for the sake of some lesser good.
Chapter 16 How what is good in its own nature can be distinguished from other things that are good.
Chapter 17 Of the reason for fasting and its value.
Chapter 18 How fasting is not always suitable.
Chapter 19 A question why we break the fast all through Eastertide.
Chapter 20 The answer.
Chapter 21 A question whether the relaxation of the fast is not prejudicial to the chastity of the body.
Chapter 22 The answer on the way to keep control over abstinence.
Chapter 23 Of the time and measure of refreshment.
Chapter 24 A question on the different ways of keeping Lent.
Chapter 25 The answer to the effect that the fast of Lent has reference to the tithe of the year.
Chapter 26 How we ought also to offer our firstfruits to the Lord.
Chapter 27 Why Lent is kept by very many with a different number of days.
Chapter 28 Why it is called Quadragesima, when the fast is only kept for thirty-six days.
Chapter 29 How those who are perfect go beyond the fixed rule of Lent.
Chapter 30 Of the origin and beginning of Lent.
Chapter 31 A question, how we ought to understand the Apostle’s words: “Sin shall not have dominion over you.”
Chapter 32 The answer on the difference between grace and the commands of the law.
Chapter 33 Of the fact that the precepts of the gospel are milder than those of the law.
Chapter 34 How a man can be shown to be under grace.
Chapter 35 A question, why sometimes when we are fasting more strictly than usual, we are troubled by carnal desires more keenly than usual.
Chapter 36 The answer, telling that this question should be reserved for a future Conference.
Conference XXIII The Third Conference of Abbot Theonas. On Sinlessness c.1–21
Chapter 1 Discourse of Abbot Theonas on the Apostle’s words: “For I do not the good which I would.”
Chapter 2 How the Apostle completed many good actions.
Chapter 3 What is really the good which the Apostle testifies that he could not perform.
Chapter 4 How man’s goodness and righteousness are not good if compared with the goodness and righteousness of God.
Chapter 5 How no one can be continually intent upon that highest good.
Chapter 6 How those who think that they are without sin are like purblind people.
Chapter 7 How those who maintain that a man can be without sin are charged with a twofold error.
Chapter 8 How it is given to but few to understand what sin is.
Chapter 9 Of the care with which a monk should preserve the recollection of God.
Chapter 10 How those who are on the way to perfection are truly humble, and feel that they always stand in need of God’s grace.
Chapter 11 Explanation of the phrase: “For I delight in the law of God after the inner man,” etc.
Chapter 12 Of this also: “But we know that the law is spiritual,” etc.
Chapter 13 Of this also: “But I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.”
Chapter 14 An objection, that the saying: “For I do not the good that I would,” etc., applies to the persons neither of unbelievers nor of saints.
Chapter 15 The answer to the objection raised.
Chapter 16 What is the body of sin.
Chapter 17 How all the saints have confessed with truth that they were unclean and sinful.
Chapter 18 That even good and holy men are not without sin.
Chapter 19 How even in the hour of prayer it is almost impossible to avoid sin.
Chapter 20 From whom we can learn the destruction of sin and perfection of goodness.
Chapter 21 That although we acknowledge that we cannot be without sin, yet still we ought not to suspend ourselves from the Lord’s Communion.
Conference XXIV Conference of Abbot Abraham. On Mortification c.1–26
Chapter 1 How we laid bare the secrets of our thoughts to Abbot Abraham.
Chapter 2 How the old man exposed our errors.
Chapter 3 Of the character of the districts which anchorites ought to seek.
Chapter 4 What sorts of work should be chosen by solitaries.
Chapter 5 That anxiety of heart is made worse rather than better by restlessness of body.
Chapter 6 A comparison showing how a monk ought to keep guard over his thoughts.
Chapter 7 A question why the neighbourhood of our kinsfolk is considered to interfere with us, whereas it does not interfere in the case of those living in Egypt.
Chapter 8 The answer that all things are not suitable for all men.
Chapter 9 That those need not fear the neighbourhood of their kinsfolk, who can emulate the mortification of Abbot Apollos.
Chapter 10 A question whether it is bad for a monk to have his wants supplied by his kinsfolk.
Chapter 11 The answer stating what Saint Antony laid down on this matter.
Chapter 12 Of the value of work and the harm of idleness.
Chapter 13 A story of a barber’s payments, introduced for the sake of recognizing the devil’s illusions.
Chapter 14 A question how such wrong notions can creep into us.
Chapter 15 The answer on the threefold movement of the soul.
Chapter 16 That the rational part of our soul is corrupt.
Chapter 17 How the weaker part of the soul is the first to yield to the devil’s temptations.
Chapter 18 A question whether we should be drawn back to our country by a proper desire for greater silence.
Chapter 19 The answer on the devil’s illusion, because he promises us the peace of a vaster solitude.
Chapter 20 How useful is relaxation on the arrival of brethren.
Chapter 21 How the Evangelist John is said to have shown the value of relaxation.
Chapter 22 A question how we ought to understand what the gospel says “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Chapter 23 The answer with the explanation of the saying.
Chapter 24 Why the Lord’s yoke is felt grievous and His burden heavy.
Chapter 25 Of the good which an attack of temptation brings about.
Chapter 26 How the promise of an hundredfold in this life is made to those whose renunciation is perfect.