art not necessary to us any longer, that thou shouldest be careful
of us: for we, as this brother says, both will and can avenge
ourselves." At which that brother fell at his feet, and begged
pardon, promising never to strive with his enemy.

Abbot Poemen said often, "Let malice never overcome thee. If any
man do thee harm, repay him with good, that thou mayest conquer evil
with good."

In a congregation at Scetis, when many men's lives and conversation
had been talked over, Abbot Pior held his tongue. After it was
over, he went out, and filled a sack with sand, and put it on his
back. Then he took a little bag, filled it likewise with sand, and
carried it before him. And when the brethren asked him what he
meant, he said, "The sack behind is my own sins, which are very
many: yet I have cast them behind my back, and will not see them,
nor weep over them. But I have put these few sins of my brother's
before my eyes, and am tormenting myself over them, and condemning
my brother."

A brother having committed a fault, went to Antony, and his brethren
followed, upbraiding him, and wanting to bring him back; while he
denied having done the wrong. Abbot Paphnutius was there, and spoke
a parable to them:--

"I saw on the river bank a man sunk in the mud up to his knees. And
men came to pull him out, and thrust him in up to the neck."

Then said Antony of Paphnutius, "Behold a man who can indeed save
souls."