Publican vs Pharisee

[Hyperichius] also said, “Imitate the publican to prevent yourself being condemned with the Pharisee. Follow the gentleness of Moses and hollow out the rocky places of your heart, so that you turn them into springs of water.”

– De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

Becoming Flame

Lot went to Joseph and said, “Abba, as far as I can, I keep a moderate rule, with a little fasting, and prayer, and meditation, and quiet: and as far as I can I try to cleanse my heart of evil thoughts. What else should I do?” Then the hermit stood up and spread out his hands to heaven, and his fingers shone like ten flames of fire, and he said, “If you will, you can become all flame.”

– De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

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