Abbot Macarius was going up to the mountain of Nitria, and sent his
disciple on before. The disciple met an idol-priest hurrying on,
and carrying a great beam: to whom he cried, "Where art thou
running, devil?" At which he was wroth, and beat him so that he
left him half dead, and then ran on, and met Macarius, who said,
"Salvation to thee, labourer, salvation!" He answered, wondering,
"What good hast thou seen in me that thou salutest me?" "Because I
saw thee working and running, though ignorantly." To whom the
priest said, "Touched by thy salutation, I knew thee to be a great
servant of God; for another--I know not who--miserable monk met me
and insulted me, and I gave him blows for his words." Then laying
hold of Macarius's feet he said, "Unless thou make me a monk I will
not leave hold of thee."

After all, of the best of these men are told (with much honesty)
many sayings which show that they felt in their minds and hearts
that the spirit was above the letter: sayings which show that they
had at least at times glimpses of a simpler and more possible
virtue; foretastes of a perfection more human, and it may be more
divine.

"Better," said Abbot Hyperichius, "to eat flesh and drink wine, than
to eat our brethren's flesh with bitter words."

A brother asked an elder, "Give me, father one thing which I may
keep, and be saved thereby." The elder answered, "If thou canst be
injured and insulted, and hear and be silent, that is a great thing,
and above all the other commandments."