A novice came to an elder and
said:
“Abba, I spend six weeks fasting
and study the Old and the New Testament daily.”
The elder replied:
“Do you treat penury as wealth?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Do you treat dishonor as
praise?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Do you treat your enemies as
your friends?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then,” the wise elder said, “go
back and do what you’ve got to do. You haven’t achieved anything.”
Prepared
by Catalog of Good Deeds
CONVERSATION