Sound to the End, and Famous Through All the World

This was the end of Antony’s life in the body, and what I wrote above was the beginning of his discipline. Even if this account is small compared with his worth, still reflect from it how great Antony, the man of God, was. From his youth to so great an age he kept the same zeal for the discipline. Old age did not overcome him with a desire for costly food, nor did the weakness of his body make him change the style of his clothing. He did not wash even his feet with water, and yet he remained entirely unharmed. His eyes were undimmed and quite sound, and he saw clearly. He had not lost a single tooth, though they had worn down to the gums because of the old man’s great age. He remained strong in hands and feet. And while all men were using various foods, and baths, and all kinds of clothing, he appeared more cheerful and of greater strength. The fact that his fame has been spread everywhere, that all regard him with wonder, and that those who have never seen him long for him, is clear proof of his virtue and of God’s love for his soul. For Antony became famous not from writings, nor from worldly wisdom, nor through any art, but solely from his devotion to God. No one will deny that this was the gift of God. For how was this man, who lived hidden in a mountain, heard of in Spain and in Gaul, in Rome and in Africa, unless it was God who makes his own known everywhere, and who also promised this to Antony at the beginning? For even if they work in secret, even if they wish to remain unknown, the Lord shows them like lamps to give light to all, so that those who hear may know that God’s commands are able to make people prosper, and may be zealous in the path of virtue. [a]