Abba Nisterus said that a monk ought to ask himself every night and every morning, “What have we done that is as God wills and what have we left undone of that which he does not will?’ ‘He must do this throughout his whole life. This is how Abba Arsenius used to live. Every day strive to come before God without sin. Pray to God in his presence, for he really is present. Do not impose rules on yourself; do not judge anyone. Swearing, making false oaths, lying, getting angry; insulting people laughing, all that is alien to monks, and he who is esteemed or exalted above that which he deserves suffers great harm.”
