Letter 968

To Marianus the Monk. We must discipline both the tongue and the eye, and the hands must be stretched out toward heaven frequently and continually through prayer that is free from distraction; the feet must be moved toward the will of the holy and spotless Master. In our encounters, let there always be present what is reverent, thoughtful, and worthy of respect; in our manner of walking, what is steady and free from ostentation; in the taking of food, frugality; in sleep, moderation; in self-control, eagerness and intensity.

Παιδαγωγητέον καὶ γλῶσσαν καὶ ὀφθαλμόν, χεῖρας πρὸς οὐρανὸν τανυστέον συχνῶς· καὶ ἐνδελεχῶς δι᾿ εὐχῆς ἀρεμβάστου, πόδας πρὸς τὸ βούλημα κινητέον τοῦ ἁγίου καὶ ἀσπίλου Δεσπότου. Ἐν δὲ ταῖς συντυχίαις, παρέστω ἀεὶ τὸ ἱεροπρεπές, καὶ σύννουν, καὶ αἰδέσιμον· ἐν τοῖς βαδίσμασι τὸ εὐσταθὲς καὶ ἀπέρπερον, ἐν τῇ μεταλήψει τὸ ὀλιγοδίαιτον, ἐν τῷ καθεύδειν τὸ σύμμετρον, ἐν τῇ ἐγκρατείᾳ τὸ πρόθυμον τε καὶ σύντονον.