The Wisdom of Saint Isaac the Syrian

by Isaac the Syrian, Sebastian Brock (Translator)

In recent decades there has been a notable renewal of interest in St Isaac the Syrian, a seventh-century master of the ascetic life. This selection of short sayings is part of Dr Brock’s work on a fuller, long-neglected manuscript which he is making available to English readers. Each sentence holds the mind steadily in the light of a truth about the spiritual life. St Isaac’s vivid images drawn directly from nature, husbandry and general human experience speak for themselves and draw us to penitence and prayer

Genres: Christianity

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 700

About the author

(Syriac: ܡܪܝ ܐܝܣܚܩ ܕܢܝܢܘܐ‎; Arabic: إسحاق النينوي; Greek: Ἰσαὰκ ὁ Σύρος), also remembered as Saint Isaac the Syrian, Abba Isaac, Isaac Syrus and Isaac of Qatar, was a 7th-century Church of the East Syriac Christian bishop and theologian best remembered for his written works on Christian asceticism.

He is regarded as a saint in the Assyrian Church of the East, the Chaldean Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox tradition. His feast day falls, together with 4th-century theologian and hymnographer St. Ephrem the Syrian, on January 28.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered Isaac the Syrian. He is a relatively unknown saint in the West. This little book (it’s like 30 pages) contains about 150 passages from his writings. I read it in a day, then reread it over the course of a few days. Each of these sayings can be reflected on for a while. This is a great book to use for prayer and devotional.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, but all-too-brief, collection of sayings of Saint Isaac the Syrian. It is clearly meant to be read and re-read with care and attention, and is very much worth the effort of doing so. I certainly look forward to revisiting the Wisdom of Saint Isaac the Syrian!

[Elliot Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people complain that this is short. However, like the texts of the Philokalia, this is largely intended as a meditative work, as the sayings of the desert fathers.

It's not meant to be read, it's meant to be meditated on.

And it's good for that. Some of the sayings are very weird, but largely very good.

[Sharon Pelphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sips of wisdom

Should be sipped. There is really no way to review them. St. Isaac of Syria is a breath of fresh air.

[Richard Tysinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, but very brief.

I enjoyed reading these collected sayings of St. Isaac. The introduction was good, and the book would serve nicely as a daily devotional. I only gave it 3 stars for being so short...additional sayings from his homilies would have been appreciated.