A Fierce Drought

Peter, the disciple of Lot, told this story: "I was once in the cell of Agatho, when a brother came to him and said, 'I want to live with the monks; tell me how to do so.'"

Agatho said, "From the first day you join them, remember you're a pilgrim all the days of your life, and do no be too confident."

Macarius said to him, "What does confidence do?"

He replied, "It is like a fierce drought. When it is dry everyone flees away from the land because it destroys even the fruit on the trees."

Macarius said, "Is it only false confidence that is like that?"

Agatho answered, "No passion is worse than confidence; it is the mother of all passion. It is best for the monk's progress that he should not be confident at all, even when he is alone in his cell."