Ephrem the Syrian quotes

Ephrem the Syrian was a prominent Christian theologian, poet, and hymnographer from the early church. His theological writings and hymns played a vital role in shaping Syriac Christianity and liturgical tradition. He is venerated as a saint and recognized for his profound spiritual insights and poetic artistry. Here are 20 of his quotes:

It is blasphemy if you pray before God while you are full of anger.

Ephrem the Syrian

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sin and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed from all ages to all ages. Amen.

Ephrem the Syrian

Do good to both your own and to strangers as much as you can, and speak a kind word to both the good and the evil people.

Ephrem the Syrian

Blessed the one who continually humbles himself willingly; he will be crowned by the One who willingly humbled himself for our sake.

Ephrem the Syrian

Be a lamp in brightness, and make the works of darkness cease, so that whenever your doctrine shines, no one may dare to heed the desires of darkness.

Ephrem the Syrian

Blessed the one who meditates on death each day and destroys the base passions lurking in the vines of the heart, for he will be consoled in the moment of separation.

Ephrem the Syrian

Like the apple of Thine eye preserve me, O Lord God; defend me and beneath Thy wings shelter me from temptations.

Ephrem the Syrian

Blessed the one who loves truth continually and has not lent his mouth as an instrument of impiety by lying, for he fears the commandment about idle speech.

Ephrem the Syrian

No one is truly poor but except the one who lacks the truth.

Ephrem the Syrian

When you begin to read or listen to the Holy Scriptures, pray to God thus: "Lord Jesus Christ, open the ears and eyes of my heart so that I may hear Thy words and understand them, and may fulfill Thy will." Always pray to God like this, that He might illumine your mind and open to you the power of His words. Many, having trusted in their own reason, have turned away into deception.

Ephrem the Syrian

In the measure to which a man cuts off and humbles his own will, he proceeds toward success. But insofar as he stubbornly guards his own will, so much does he brings harm to himself.

Ephrem the Syrian

Who is far from love is a bad state, and to be pitied. He passes his days in a delirious dream, far from God, deprived of light, and he lives in darkness ... Whoever does not have the love of Christ is an enemy of Christ. He walks in darkness and is easily lead into any sin.

Ephrem the Syrian

O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of sloth, vain curiosity, lust for power and idle talk, but give to me, Thy servant, a spirit of soberness, humility, patience and love.

Ephrem the Syrian

The fear of God illumines the soul, annihilates evil, weakens the passions, drives darkness from the soul and makes it pure. The fear of God is the summit of wisdom. Where it is not you will find nothing good. Whoever does not have the fear of God is open to diabolical falls.

Ephrem the Syrian

Not only men, but also women, the weaker sex, in going by the narrow path of Christ have received for themselves the Kingdom of Heaven. For there is neither male nor female, but everyone receives his own reward according to his own labor.

Ephrem the Syrian

The hutzpah of our love is pleasing to you, O Lord, just as it pleased you that we should steal from your bounty.

Ephrem the Syrian

Thy possessions have made thee a hollow image; they have ruined thee and left thee.

Ephrem the Syrian

They went down to Egypt and provided food when famine reigned; they came to the obstinate sea, and taught it wisdom with a rod; they went out into the hostile desert and adorned it with a pillar; they entered the furnace, fiercely heated, and sprinkled it with their dew; into the pit where they had been thrown an angel entered and taught its wild beasts to fast.

Ephrem the Syrian