Desert Wisdom:Sayings from the Desert Fathers

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

"As he was dying, Abba Benjamin taught his sons this: Do this, and you'll be saved: Rejoice always, pray constantly, and in all circumstances give thanks".Each Christian who seeks God through prayer is continuing a tradition that began with the desert fathers and mothers of the fourth and fifth century -- simple peasants whose spiritual progress was marked by inner peace, self-control, poverty, patience, humility, and hospitality. Desert Wisdom contains some hundred "sayings" of the desert fathers, each accompanied by playful illustrations by Japanese artist Yushi Nomura. Bridging East and West, the simple truths of Desert Wisdom remain as fresh and vital to Christians today as they were to the disciples who first heard and recorded them.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, History

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desert Wisdom by Nouwen/Nomura

The images and the words have shaped my soul. I’d pause often, reflecting. I craved the life these desert monastics strove for, wondering where my deserts might be. They’ve left me a companion text, something that draws me to God, to Christ, to life. I’m hungry now, hungry for the life they spoke of with few words. If there were something besides Scripture to put to memory, this is it.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book. It is a wonderful and fresh way to glean from the wisdom of the Desert Abbas and Ammas. The illustrations are skillfully simple and meaningful, with a bit of fun and the sayings will challenge you to follow the narrow Way.

[Anna Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little gem!!

[Queenstar Banini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the cutie Japanese ink illustrations

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat profound but also funny collection of sayings from early Christian ascetics. The Japanese ink illustrations are...well, adorable is the first word that jumps to mind, if I'm being honest, but they also do a great job capturing the essence of the words. My personal favorites were the sarcastic monks, but I also liked the more serious parts, like reminder that, "We do not want words alone, for there are too many words among people today. What we need is action." Overall, lots of old wisdom that is still relevant in the modern world.

[Brett Leyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Abba Mios was asked by a soldier whether God would forgive a sinner. After instructing him at some length, the old man asked him: Tell me, my dear, if your cloak were torn, would you throw it away? Oh no! he replied, I would mend it and wear it again. The old man said to him: Well, if you care for your cloak, will not God show mercy to his own creature?”

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at a monastery that I recently visited. This small book spans the globe and spans centuries as a Japanese theologian shares wisdom from 4th century desert fathers and mothers who were introduced to him by a Dutch theologian in the US.

This is a great book to pick up and reflect with. The maxims and stories are short, sometimes funny and often convicting. The desert ascetes stood apart and against the empirialization of Christianity in a way that feels all to reflective if my reality here in the US.

The art is playful and contemplative.

Definitely a keeper.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many good, thoughtful, wisdoms and parables, comments, and sayings, not just for the religious. I've always been drawn to the ascetics, the monastics, the hermits, the outcasts and the estranged. The idea of packing it up, going to live in a desert, and being a hermit is as appealing now as a 34 year old, as it was when I was 10 and 12.

I particularly liked the ones about being foolish, holding your tongue, and various other incidents like it. Even from a nonreligious aspect this was still interesting and an enjoyable read with many elucidations.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a love-hate relationship with the desert fathers and mothers. Their words have both beautiful wisdom and terrible theology. This shorter collection of their sayings is only the gold. Each page is also marked with beautiful illustrations. The pictures made the words or stories come alive in a way I had never experienced before. This book will give you a taste of the best the desert has to offer.

[Chris Frakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pleasant and effortless read yet at the same time a driving and thought provoking work of what it looks like to truly live the spiritual life within the physical world. Nouwen continues to drive me into deeper thoughts and Nomura beautifully gives illustration to this world that is so new to me.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly wise sayings from the desert fathers and mothers, enhanced by the beautiful illustrations of the author. A great book to have on the shelf to pick up from time to time for motivation and inspiration

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but honestly, it just didn't resonate for the most part. I loved the format of pairing sayings with drawings, though. Perhaps I just need to reread it some day and let it sink in a bit more fully.

[Tim Galbraith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, enlightening read.

[Chuck Abbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly engrossing little books that has one or two paragraphs on a page expressing a nugget of wisdom. Well illustrated by Japanese style ink drawings

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

do not be proud
do not judge others

[WashU Catholic Student Center]

WIP: 2 copies, one in spirituality and one in world religions

[Ian Colle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful drawings; timeless sayings.

[Susan Peak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book, both words and illustrations stimulating reflection

[Josh Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite: Abba Xanthias said: A dog is better than I am because it also has love, but it does not pass judgement.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful book; the drawings are a great complement to the words.

[Barbara Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations. A Japanese take on fifth-century anecdotes.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to a place where I deeply appreciate the sayings of the desert fathers. This collection, while much smaller than others, is a good, palatable introduction to these amazing men of faith. The pictures that go along with each saying livens the words and makes ones soul long for the peace and joy the fathers and mothers so aptly describe.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking wisdom from the ancients with remarkable capacity to speak to the struggles and concerns of today. Beautiful and inspiring artwork. A book to digest slowly and to return to regularly.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned of this gem of a book when I stayed at the Marymount Hermitage. It sits by my bedside so when I need a charming little story it's available.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little book, both the text and the lovely ink drawings.

[Nyleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains the writings and illustrations that were my very first exposure to the Desert Fathers in the book "Room for God."

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming little book, the illustrations make the stories even more powerful, and create new insights.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and thoughtful selections from the desert fathers. Nourishing in its simplicity in both illustration and word.

[Andrew Warwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful beautiful book!

[Hope Irvin Marston]

Years ago, I saw a reference to the Desert Fathers and Mothers, but I don’t recall who they were. I “discovered” this book on my shelf a few weeks ago and read it for the first time. It is a collection of very brief stories and sayings of Christian hermits from 4th and 5th century Egypt. They are recounted one per page and illustrated by Japanese artist, Yushi Nomura. The stories show us that indeed God is here, and God is everywhere. (The version I read was printed in 1984 by Image Books.)