How many people have caught ravens more than once with snares and nets, and the crows caught did not know that they would become the prey of the catcher and would be taken? And for you, as you say, these crows portend the future? The ravens, who did not know at all that the snare had been set for them and did not know about their destruction, turn out to be forerunners and prophets of the unprecedented? Therefore, leave bird-divination. Some were attentive to this, as worthy of such a delusion, they noticed the flights of ravens, describing a circle in front and behind and above the head, and deviating to the sides, and also noticed the cries of ravens. However, it is obvious that the evil demons fly together with the ravens and, in order to lead a deluded person to a guess, give the birds such a flight. And therefore, having fallen away from faith in Christ the Saviour and having been exposed to inevitable dangers, they, although they had cherished good hopes, believed in the beautiful omens shown by the ravens, and after a thousand losses, losses, and torments, they finally ended their lives with a bad and accursed end. "For there is a cruel end of unrighteousness," says the Scriptures (Wisdom 3:19). Therefore, if you want to avoid the danger of becoming the prey of demons, do not make such observations of the flight and cry of birds, of the encounters of all kinds of animals, rational or irrational, of those who have called you back to stop, and of all vain omens—in a word, do not observe anything, only sin. For it is useful to guard against it alone and to withdraw unceasingly. It is desirable for us that you should know this: with some people, who observed these soul-damaging signs according to the Hellenic custom, the very thing that they foresaw often happened, but not according to the power and foreshadowing of miserable ravens, or pigs, or dogs, or people, but according to the judgment of God, who punishes them for their unbelief and laughs at him. For it is said: "He will give thee to the Lord according to thy heart" (Psalm 19:5): and it shall be with thee as thou hast expected, and I will surround thee with calamities, sorrows, and sorrows, which thou hast feared, believing in evil omen, so that the deceived, having come to the knowledge of their superstition in time, and having recourse to good repentance, cease abominable observations, and at last entrust their deeds to God's Providence, in all things they raised their souls to God.
2.195. To Magisterian Ilion.
If God forbade doing evil and casts those who do evil into hell of fire, then will He help those who do evil? Therefore, do not say that God hearkens to people who are corrupt, unclean, rotten in their undertakings, and puts a man to death, and subdues a horse that runs through the lists. Let it not be so! This is not God's work. Evil demons tend to assist in this. For the sorcerers, having made images of what –
So, beware of them, lest you get caught in the net.
On the Change of Places by Monks
1.289. To the Monk Venust.
A monk who, without great need, only through his faint-heartedness, impatience and some human and feeble thoughts, moves from place to place, thinking by wandering to reduce the number of spiritual thoughts, although he will change the place, nevertheless he will not reduce or diminish his heartfelt sorrow, confusion and temptation, but will increase them even more, give them more food, strength, modes of action and variety. Therefore, let us not be careless or careless in the course of life. For surely we will give an account of our deeds.
2.55. Hilary, a monk from the scholastics.
At last, having ceased thy pilgrimage, thou hast made up thy mind to imitate this ancient man, after thou hast met him at the Echinades! For who among the well-meaning will approve of this, to walk everywhere, to know no rest, to jostle hither and thither without any great and unavoidable need, to run from place to place, like hares to change one bed for another? Therefore, dwell in the monastery without exit and motionless, exercising yourself in silence, and watch when death comes, so that, with good permission, you may rejoice eternally at the feet of Christ.
2.61. To Monk Athanasius.
Return quickly to the monastery from which you came out so badly, so that, remaining for a long time outside this fence, you will not become food for mental beasts. And if you say that you left the monastery in the hope of some higher virtue, then remember him who said: "There is a way that thinks a man is right, but his last comes to the bottom of hell" (Proverbs 14:12). For Satan always catches those who have not experienced his evil tricks for the most part with something plausible.
2.70. To the monk Democritus.
If a plant that is often transplanted, although it is abundantly watered, is able to bear fruit, then you, too, walking hither and thither, chasing after shadows and winds, trying to know every place, and finding no rest for yourself, will be able to bring forth the fruit of righteousness.
Instruction to novice monks.