Silence is the greatest and most fruitful virtue...

Silence is the greatest and most fruitful virtue, for this reason the God-bearing Fathers called it sinlessness.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Approaching God through prayer ( Elder Ephraim of Arizona )

 

We have so much material offered by the devil, the world, and our carelessness to talk about idly, so many events and stories that are taking place and will take place, that we have plenty to occupy ourselves with; while “the one thing needful”, to approach God through prayer, we have laid aside. Our need for this spiritual turning to God is so urgent that nothing else should preoccupy us other than how to be close to God by means of prayer and holy thoughts, which also greatly help us achieve this goal.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Be careful with your mouth, but primarily with your mind; do not let evil thoughts start talking with you.

Be careful with your mouth, but primarily with your mind; do not let evil thoughts start talking with you. Do not let your mouth say words that could perhaps wound your brother. Let your mouth put forth words which are fragrant: words of consolation, courage, and hope. It is a person’s mouth that reveals his interior, his inner man.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Always be prudent in your words; that is, first think and then speak; do not let your tongue run ahead before you think what you have to say.

Always be prudent in your words; that is, first think and then speak; do not let your tongue run ahead before you think what you have to say. Do not become bold in talking much, my child; many are the evils from this evil boldness. Flee from it as from fire or a viper!

Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Keeping silence ..

When one keeps silent, he is given time and freedom for prayer and concentration, but when he passes his hours carelessly, he does not have time to pray.

Furthermore, through his careless speech he accumulates various sins. For this reason the Holy Fathers placed the virtue of silence at the summit of the virtues, for without it no virtue is able to remain in the soul of man.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona

The virtue of silence ....

When one keeps silent, he is given time and freedom for prayer and concentration; but when he passes his hour carelessly, he does not have time to pray. Furthermore, through his careless speech he accumulates various sins. For this reason the Holy Fathers placed the virtue of silence at the summit of the virtues, for without it no virtue is able to remain in the soul of man.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Always be prudent in your words

Always be prudent in your words; that is, first think and then speak; do not let your tongue run ahead before you think what you have to say. 

Do not become bold in talking much, my child; many are the evils from this evil boldness. Flee from it as from fire or a viper!

Elder Ephraim
Counsels from the Holy Mountain
On Silence, Idle Talk, and Boldness