Isaiah the Solitary
5th century · AD 491 · Eastern & Byzantine · 1 passages
Background on Isaiah the Solitary
In his own words on John
- John 6:17-18
Like a pilot steering a boat through the waves, one should hold to the course, guided by grace. Keeping his attention fixed within himself, he should commune with God in stillness, guarding his thoughts from distraction and his intellect from curiosity.In storms and squalls we need a pilot, and in this present life we need prayer, for we are susceptible to the provocations of our thoughts, both good and bad. If our thought is full of devotion and love of God, it rules over the passions.
ON GUARDING THE INTELLECT 23-24
Quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations — including the Ante-Nicene and Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers and the early patristic chain-commentary compiled in the Catena Aurea. Each quotation links to its source.