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WHETHER the Egyptians or others are to be regarded as the
founders of this philosophy, it is universally admitted that Antony,
the great monk, developed this course of life, by morals and befitting
exercises, to the summit of exactness and perfection. His fame was so
widely spread throughout the deserts of Egypt, that the emperor
Constantine, for the reputation of the man's virtue, sought his
friendship, honored him with correspondence, and urged him to write
about what he might need. He was an Egyptian by race, and belonged
to an illustrious family of Coma, which was situated near the
Heraclea which is on the Egyptian borders. He was but a youth when
he lost his parents; he bestowed his paternal inheritance upon his
fellow-villagers, sold the rest of his possessions and distributed the
proceeds among the needy; for he was aware that philosophy does not
merely consist in the relinquishment of property, but in the proper
distribution of it. He obtained the acquaintance of the devoted men of
his time, and emulated the virtues of all. Believing that the
practice of goodness would become delightful by habit, though arduous
at the outset, he reflected on more intense methods of asceticism, and
day by day he augmented it by self-control just as if he were always
recommencing his undertaking. He subdued the voluptuousness of the
body by labor, and restrained the passions of the soul by the aid of
the Divine wisdom. His food was bread and salt, his drink water,
and he never broke his fast till after sunset. He often remained two
or more days without eating. He watched, so to speak, throughout the
night, and continued in prayer till daybreak. If at any time he
indulged in sleep, it was but for a little while on a short mat; but
generally the bare earth was his couch. He rejected the practice of
anointing with oil, and the use of baths and of similar luxuries likely
to relax the tension of the body by moisture; and it is said that he
never at any time saw himself naked. He neither possessed nor admired
learning, but he valued a good understanding, as being prior to
letters and as being the very discoverer of it. He was exceedingly
meek and philanthropic, prudent and manly; cheerful in conversation
and friendly in disputations, even when others used the controverted
topics as occasion for strife. By his own habit and a kind of
intelligence he quieted contentiousness when on the increase, and
restored them to moderation; he also tempered the ardor of those who
conversed with him, and regulated their manners. Although on account
of his extraordinary virtues, he had become filled with the Divine
foreknowledge, he did not regard foreknowledge of the future as a
virtue, nor did he counsel others to seek this gift rashly, for he
considered that no one would be punished or rewarded according to his
ignorance or knowledge of futurity; for true blessedness consists in
the service of God, and in keeping his laws. "But," said he,
"if any man would know the future, let him continually be purified in
soul, for then he will i have power to walk in the light, and to
understand things that are to happen, for God will reveal the future
to him." He never suffered himself to be idle, but exhorted all
those who seemed disposed to lead a good life, to diligence in labor,
to self-examination and confession of sin before Him who created the
day and the night; and when they erred, he urged them to record the
transgression in writing, that so they might be ashamed of their sins,
and be fearful lest any one should find the many things recorded; for
he would be fearful, lest if the document were traced to him he should
become disclosed to other people as a depraved character. He above all
others came forward spiritedly and most zealously for the defense of the
injured, and in their cause often resorted to the cities; for many
came out to him, and compelled him to intercede for them with the
rulers and men in power. All the people felt honored in seeing him,
listened with avidity to his discourses, and yielded assent to his
arguments; but he preferred to remain unknown and concealed in the
deserts. When compelled to visit a city, he never failed to return to
the deserts as soon as he had accomplished the work he had undertaken;
for, he said, that as fishes are nourished in the water, so the
desert is the world prepared for monks; and as fishes die when thrown
upon dry land, so monastics lose their gravity when they go into
cities. He carried himself obediently and graciously towards all who
saw him, and he was careful not to have, nor seem to have, a
supercilious nature. I have given this concise account of the manners
of Antony, in order that an idea of his philosophy may be formed, by
analogy, from the description of his conduct in the desert.
He had many renowned disciples, of whom some flourished in Egypt and
Libya, others in Palestine, Syria, and Arabia; not less than
their master, did each disciple pass his life with those among whom he
dwelt, and regulate his conduct, and instruct many, and wed them unto
kindred virtues and philosophy. But it would be difficult for any one
to find the companions of Antony or their successors by going carefully
through cities and villages to discover them, for they sought
concealment more earnestly than many ambitious men, by means of pomp
and show, now seek popularity and renown. We must relate, in
chronological order, the history of the most celebrated disciples of
Antony, and particularly that of Paul, surnamed the Simple. It is
said that he dwelt in the country, and was married to a beautiful
woman, and that having surprised her in the act of adultery, he
laughed placidly and affirmed with an oath, that he would live with her
no longer; that he left her with the adulterer, and went immediately
to join Antony in the desert. It is further related that he was
exceedingly meek and patient: and that, being aged and unaccustomed to
monastic severity, Antony put his strength to the proof by various
trials, for he was newly come, and detected nothing ignoble; and
that, having given evidence of perfect philosophy, he was sent to live
alone, as no longer requiring a teacher. And God himself confirmed
the testimony of Antony; and demonstrated the man to be most
illustrious through his deeds, and as greater than even his teacher in
vexing and expelling demons.
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