Another brother questioned Abba Poemen in these words: “What does ‘See that none of you repays evil for evil’ mean?” The old man said to him, “Passions work in four stages; first, in the heart; secondly, in the face; thirdly in words; and fourthly, it is essential not to render evil for evil in deeds. If you can purify your heart, passion will not come into your expression; but if it comes into your face, take care not to speak; but if you do speak, cut the conversation short in case you render evil for evil.
