The Elder’s Answer

The elder said to the brother:
My son, a man cannot walk leaning on himself, for the self is a cracked staff — it seems strong, but it breaks when you rely on it. Distrust in yourself does not mean weakness; it means knowing that your strength does not come from you. When a man leans on himself, he falls; when he leans on God, he rises — and lifts others as well. Do not be afraid to be small, for only the small vessel can be filled quickly; the large one fills slowly and empties quickly. Discernment comes when a man stops believing that he sees well, knows well, or can manage on his own. Then the mind becomes humble, and humility is the eye that does not lie. Then the elder spoke a hard saying: Know this, my son: he who leans on himself walks in circles, but he who leans on God walks forward.

Apophthegm

A brother said to the elder: Father, if I cannot rely on myself, how can I know that I am not deceived when I believe I rely on God?

The elder answered him: If you become still, you will see who is holding you.

The brother was troubled and said within himself:
How can stillness show me whom I rely on?