St. Macarius, a monk who lived in the desert, was returning to his cell one day, when he saw the devil. The devil, armed with a scythe - a pole with long, sharp blade at the top - kept flying close to Macarius, trying to cut him to pieces. But the fiend could not do it because as soon as he came near, he lost his strength.

Then, full of rage, the wicked spirit cried out, "Great misery do I suffer from you, O Macarius; for even though I want so much to hurt you, I am not able to. It is strange! I do all that you do, and even more: you fast sometimes, and I never eat; you sleep very little, and I never close my eyes. In one thing only do you surpass me."

"And what is that one thing?" asked Macarius.

"It is your great humility." replied the devil. Saying this, he disappeared, and was seen no more.