Quote by St. Silouan the Athonite ~ Spiritual Father

Whoever wants to approach prayer without a guide, and proudly thinks that he can learn from books, and won't go to an elder, is already halfway into delusion. But the Lord helps the humble, and if there is no experienced guide, and he goes to a confessor, whoever he may be, then the Lord will cover him because of his humility.

(St. Silouan the Athonite, Writings, II.1)


thanks to source:

http://orthodox.cn/patristics/300sayings_en.htm