PAUL THE BARBER
Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Alphabetical Collection — translated by Benedicta Ward, SLG
1. Abba Paul the Barber and his brother Timothy lived in Scetis. They often used to argue. So Abba Paul said, 'How long shall we go on like this?' Abba Timothy said to him, 'I suggest you take my side of the argument and in my turn I will take your side when you oppose me.' They spent the rest of their days in this practice.
2. The same Abbas Paul and Timothy, the Barbers, were troubled by the brethren at Scetis. Timothy said to his brother, 'Why do we follow this trade? They do not let us live in peace the whole day long.' But Abba Paul replied, 'The peace of the night is enough for us if our thoughts are watchful.'
Translated by Benedicta Ward, SLG. Edition opa.patristics.desert-fathers.sayings-alphabetical-collection.en.