A Physician Given to Egypt

In this way, then, he warned the cruel. But the others who came to him he taught so well that they forgot their lawsuits at once and called those who had withdrawn from the world blessed. And he took the side of those who were wronged in such a way that you would think he, and not they, was the one suffering. Further, he was able to be of such use to everyone that many soldiers and men of great wealth laid down the burdens of life and became monks for the rest of their days. It was as if God had given Egypt a physician. For who met Antony in grief and did not go home rejoicing? Who came mourning his dead and did not at once put away his sorrow? Who came in anger and was not turned to friendship? What poor and downcast man met him, heard him and looked on him, and did not despise wealth and take comfort in his poverty? What monk who had grown careless came to him and was not made all the stronger? What young man came to the mountain and saw Antony, and did not at once deny himself pleasure and love self-control? Who came to him tempted by a demon and did not find rest? And who came troubled with doubts and did not find quietness of mind? [a]