St Symeon of Dajbabe On the Heart

This issue of the Orthodox Word is available from St. Herman Press

Selected Verses from the Treasury of St Symeon's Sayings


7. For a good painting, one needs an adept artist, a good canvas, and
enduring colors. In your childhood, the canvas of your heart can take
on a variety of colors. Guard the purity of your heart so that the Lord 
may paint His godly image upon it.
8. On a ferry they look for the tickets of travelers, but in heaven a
clean heart is looked for in Christians.
9. Gather all your resources, and then build a house; likewise, first
clean your heart, and then pray to God.
10. May your livestock not lie in your attic, nor food overfill your 
belly : the air in your house will be cleaner, and your heart purer
in your bosom.
11. Let there be a yard around your house, and about your heart
the fear of God, for the safety of both body and soul.
12. Whoever wants to catch young bees, let him have before him
violets; and whoever desires to have the Holy Spirit, let him have
a clean heart.
13. Bees do not allow other bees into their own hives, nor do 
genuine Christians allow sinful thoughts to enter their hearts.
14. Keep gunpowder away from rain and moisture, and your
heart from the pleasures and passions that may wound you.
15. Guard your eyes against dust and smoke, and your heart
from jealousy and women, so that you may not be blind both
in body and in soul.
57. Just as out of a small egg emerges a winged chick, so 
also from a humble heart emerge good works.
75. Just as anyone who colors eggs will stain his hands, so
also anyone who socializes with sinners will ruin his heart.
90. Tight shoes on the road create sores, while unclean
thoughts in a man's mind lead to sin.
99. Just as snow melts from the south, so does the heart
become spoiled from ill talk.
112. If the shell of an egg breaks, a chick will not emerge, And
if a Christian does not overcome his sinful desires, he will not
resurrect unto eternal life.
121. May your dog not follow you to church, or hatred of your
neighbor follow you to your heart, so that neither God nor men
find fault in you.
122. Just as automobiles leave behind smoke and dust, so also
does an immoral heart leaves behind moaning and despair.


The Orthodox Word Nos. 270-71p. 37-53, St Herman Press 2010