The works assigned CPG numbers 6583a and 6583b were originally a single set of more than two hundred gnomic sayings, exhorting readers to ascetic discipline. The work has been traditionally assigned to Nilus or Hesychius, but recently some scholars (Veder, Miltenova, and Tkebuchava have credited the work to Evagrius on the basis of Slavonic and Georgian translations. The text has suffered. At some point, an editor or scribe broke the maxims into two halves (in the middle of ch. 115). We have manuscripts that attest to an integral edition, as well as manuscripts that attest only to the first or the second half. Many of these versions travel with other treatises that are ascribed to Nilus, but are now securely identified as being by Evagrius. The PG edition, the most accessible and familiar, draws largely from Orelli's 1819 edition, and is not based upon the best manuscripts. It lacks at least one kephalaion and has suboptimal readings. A new edition is needed.

Regarding the title: the most common title in Greek manuscripts is γρῶμαι βιωφελεῖς ἀπάγουσαι τῶν φθαρτῶν καὶ κολλῶσαι τοῖς ἀφθάρτοις τὸν ἄνθρωπον, Maxims Useful for Life, Leading a Person away from the Corrupt and Binding Him to the Incorrupt. The CPG assigns to 6583a Capita paraenetica and to 6583b Sententiae abducentes hominem a corruptibilibus. The first CPG title, in my opinion, should be avoided, to prevent confusion with other paraenetic works by Evagrius. The second CPG title is inexact, incomplete, and ill suited for either a short or long title. I therefore adopt the longer Greek title mentioned above, and for a shortened title, prefer "Maxims Useful for Life" (Latin "Sententiae vitae utiles").

The PG reference system for the work is problematic. I have provided a single, consecutive numeration system for the entire work, 1-115 for the first half and 115-214 for the second.