Isaac of Nineveh

In his own words on Jeremiah

• Jeremiah 2:18

  The intellect especially strays when the eyes wander and the belly is at ease.… If you patiently endure in the desert, you will not be tempted, for there you will see no women, nor [will you encounter] anything harmful to your mode of life, nor will you hear unseemly cries. "And what hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the water of Geon?" Understand what I say. Show the enemy your patience and experience in small matters so that he does not seek great things from you. Let these small matters be a pattern for you, that through your struggles in small things you may lay a trap for him and give him no leisure to contrive great snares for you.

  ASCETICAL HOMILIES 40

• Jeremiah 20:9

  For they do not make their journey upon the royal highway as other men, but these giants select for themselves short-cuts, whereby gloriously they journey swiftly to the Heavenly mansions. For this hope so inflames them, as with fire, that they cannot rest from their incessant and headlong course on account of their joy. There comes to pass in them what was spoken by the blessed [Jeremiah], "I said, 'I shall not remember Him nor speak His name.' And there was in my heart as it were a flaming fire and it entered into my bones." Such is the recollection of God in the hearts of people who are drunk with hope on his promises.

  ASCETICAL HOMILIES 71