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 35 of his quotes:

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven. (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. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
If you wish to help someone, give secretly and avoid arrogance. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
If you are an ardent reader, seek not brilliant and erudite texts; otherwise the demon of haughtiness will strike your heart. But like a wise bee that gathers honey from flowers, so also through your reading obtain healing for your soul. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
Like the apple of Thine eye preserve me, O Lord God; defend me and beneath Thy wings shelter me from temptations. View quote
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)
Anyone who wants to be an example to others, must first examine himself. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
Scripture brought me to the Gate of Paradise, and the mind stood in wonder as it entered. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
It is blasphemy if you pray before God while you are full of anger. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
The word of God is a tree of life that offers us blessed fruit from each of its branches. It is like that rock which was struck open in the wilderness, from which all were offered spiritual drink. Be glad then that you are overwhelmed, and do not be saddened because he has overcome you. A thirsty person is happy when drinking, and not depressed, because the spring is inexhaustible. You can satisfy your thirst without exhausting the spring; then when you thirst again, you can drink from it once more. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
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. O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brother: for blessed art Thou to the ages of ages. Amen. O God, cleanse me, a sinner. View quote
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. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
Blessed the one who has kept the mastery of his eyelids and has not deceived himself with either mind or sense with regard to the skin of the flesh that after a little while oozes putrefaction. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
Let books be your dining table, and you shall be full of delights. Let them be your mattress, and you shall sleep restful nights. (Ephrem the Syrian)
No one is truly poor but except the one who lacks the truth. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
Whoever fears God stands above all manner of fear. He has become a stranger to all the fear of this world and placed it far from himself, and no manner of trembling comes near him. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
The seed, swollen with moisture, burst asunder its covering of soil and out peers the blade of wheat, full of symbols. So faith, whose bosom is filled with goodly fruits, is a blade of praise. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian
You victorious martyrs who endured torments gladly for the sake of God and Savior, you who have boldness of speech toward the Lord Himself, you saints, intercede for us who are timid and sinful men, full of sloth, that the grace of Christ may come upon us, and enlighten the hearts of all of us so that we may love Him. View quote
Ephrem the Syrian