Germanus Asks the Aim of Each Life

Since it is clear that you have not, like so many, merely touched the outskirts of each way of life, but have climbed to its very heights, we would like to know what the goal of the coenobite’s life is, and what the goal of the hermit’s. For no one can doubt that no one can speak on these subjects more fully or faithfully than one who, taught by long practice and experience, has followed them both, and so can show us their value and aim by truthful teaching. [a]