"Why may Christians even visit the baths in Alexandria, while we up here, you and my father and all anchorites, only use water to quench our thirst?
You compel me to live like one of you, and I do not like being a dirty beast." "None can see us but the Most High," answered Paulus, "and for him we cleanse and beautify our souls." "But the Lord gave us our body too," interrupted Hermas.

"It is written that man is the image of God.

And we! I appeared to myself as repulsive as a hideous ape when at the great baths by the Gate of the Sun I saw the youths and men with beautifully arranged and scented hair and smooth limbs that shone with cleanliness and purification.

And as they went past, and I looked at my mangy sheepfell, and thought of my wild mane and my arms and feet, which are no worse formed or weaker than theirs were, I turned hot and cold, and I felt as if some bitter drink were choking me.

I should have liked to howl out with shame and envy and vexation.