St. Theodore the Studite: Brethren and fathers, I often call your way of life blessed...

Brethren and fathers, I often call your way of life blessed, not by way of flattery but truth; nor do I wish to call those in the world unhappy, but I aim to make you more fervent. 

Since too you know the sort of things that take place in the world, drinking bouts and drunkenness, revels and intoxication, shouts and caperings, and all the other things, whose condemnation is deserved, as it is written, which are the results of the activity of the evil one. But our manner of life is not like this. But what is it? 

Night and day we praise the Lord according to the legislation which has been handed down to us by our holy fathers. Psalmody succeeds psalmody, reading reading, prayer prayer. Government of thoughts in accord with the mind, in the heart meditation of divine words, timely stillness, fitting speech.

St. Theodore the Studite